CJN/Justices rift: APC planning to cripple Supreme Court ahead 2023 poll – PDP

Main opposition, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has weighed in on the rift between some Supreme Court justices and the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Tanko Muhammad, as the party claimed that the crisis ‘only reveals that there is a systemic design by the ruling All Progressives Congress -government to ensure that the Judiciary is stifled and handicapped to deliver on its constitutional duty as an independent arm of government.’

It would be recalled that earlier this week, 14 justices of the Supreme Court had reportedly written to the Chief Judge of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, accusing the latter of what they termed; ‘Absence of probity and moral rectitude’ in managing affairs of the apex court, as well as, the deteriorating condition of services generally, and the state of the Litigations Department.

Reacting to the development, the PDP, in a statement by its spokesman, Hon. Debo Ologunagba said it was ‘outrageous that instead of personally addressing the issues raised, the CJN rather allowed his media aide to respond to the revered Justices of the Supreme Court via a press statement in a manner that shows impunity and utter disregard to the Justices and the Institution of the Judiciary.’

According to PDP, the protest letter by Justices of the Supreme Court to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Tanko Mohammed, has ‘further confirmed the furtive plots by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government to emasculate the judiciary in a bid to foist a fascist system and subvert the will of Nigerians in the 2023 general elections.’

“The evidence of this systemic emasculation of the Judiciary is manifest in the unrelenting intimidation and harassment of judges; the vicious midnight attacks, orchestrated and unlawful removal of judicial officers and disabling of the independence of the judiciary by the APC administration.

“The plots by the APC to cripple the operations of the Supreme Court as uncovered in the conditions described by the Supreme Court Justices confirm a malicious design by APC leaders to subvert our judicial system so as to cover their atrocities against Nigerians.

“It is clear that the APC is desperate to silence judges in Nigeria through the stagnation of our judicial infrastructure and operation, staging the invasion of courts to disrupt proceedings in various parts of our country, denying judges of the rights to a conducive atmosphere to dispense justice and perform their constitutionally assigned roles for which a conducive atmosphere is indispensable,” PDP said.

The party added further that ‘this explains why the APC undertook the 2016 midnight raid and arrest of judges including Justices of the Supreme Court; an action which is akin to a declaration of war against the judiciary resulting in the sudden death of some of the judges from emotional trauma and embarrassment.’

“Nigerians are reminded about the harassment, intimidation, suspension, illegal and unjust removal from office of the former CJN, Justice Walter Onnoghen, by the APC, being afraid of his independent-mindedness ahead of the 2019 Presidential election.

“Nigerians can also recall the role reportedly played by the APC administration in staging the last year’s invasion of the now-retired Justice Mary Odili’s home apparently to instil fear in the judiciary ahead of the 2023 general elections,” PDP said.

According to the PDP, ‘it is instructive to recall that the Magistrate, who issued the warrant for that act reportedly averred that he was misled by the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation.’

“The letter by the Supreme Court Justices is a wake-up call to all Nigerians, particularly the Bar and the Bench, the Civil Society, Organized Labour, the media and the International Community to rise to the occasion and rescue our judiciary from the stranglehold of the APC,” the party said.

The PDP, therefore, demanded that the CJN immediately and personally address the issues raised by the Justices especially those that border on allegations of corruption and underhand dealings.

“The CJN must not by any means sweep these weighty allegations and issues under the carpet. This is the only way to assure Nigerians that the judiciary under the CJN Tanko Mohammed is indeed the hope of the common man in the impartial dispensation of justice,” the party said.

The 14 justices who had berated the CJN in the letter include; Olukayode Ariwoola, Musa Dattijo Mohammed, Kudirat Motonmori O. Kekere-Ekun, John Inyang Okoro, Chima Centus Nweze, Amina Adamu Augie, Uwani Musa Abba-Aji, Mohammed Lawal Garba, Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju, Abdu Aboki, Ibrahim Mohammed Musa Saulawa, Adamu Jauro, Tijjani Abubakar, and Emmanuel Akomaye Agim.

Meanwhile, Senate has decided the settle the rift between Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, and the Supreme Court justices.

Speaking at a plenary on Wednesday, Senate President Ahmad Lawan said the National Assembly must find a solution to the rift.

Lawan asked the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters led by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti) to settle the issue.

“We must have interest in what is happening in the judicial arm of government with a view to bringing solution to the issue.

“Our Standing Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters should get involved and find out what the real issue is so that the National Assembly can help out.”