The Chief Justice of Nigeria CJN, Hon Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad said on Wednesday that Nigeria’s judiciary has had enough of embarrassment of its Judicial officers and would no longer take kindly to repeat of any ugly treatment from security operatives.
He gave the warning just as the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria called on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Baba Alkali Usman to charge the invaders of the residence of Justice Mary Odili to court.
Justice Muhammad warned that the silence of the judiciary should never be mistaken “for stupidity or weakness.”
The CJN spoke at a special court session of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in Abuja marking the commencement of 2021/2022 new legal year and the conferment of the rank Senior Advocates of Nigeria on 72 lawyers.
“On a very sad note, I must say, we were jolted with embarrassingly news of the invasion of the official residence of one of our brother Justices, Hon Justice Mary Peter Odili on Friday October 29 by men suspected to be security operatives, acting on a search warrant .
“The said warrant was purportedly obtained from an Abuja Magistrate court under questionable circumstances.
“I must make it known to all and sundry that we have had enough dozage of such embarrassments and harassments of our Judicial officers across the country and we can no longer take any of such shenanigans.
“The silence of the judiciary should never be mistaken for stupidity or weakness.
“By the nature of our work, we are conservative but not conquered species and should not be pushed further than this by any individual, institution or agency of the government.
“With time, those taking judiciary as a mere weakling will soon realise that it is from the calmest seas we often experience the fiercest storms.
“The time to oppress, suppress and intimidate judicial officers is gone.
“No one, irrespective of his or her status or position in the country, should test our will because the consequences of such unwarranted provocation will be too dire to bear.
“We shall begin to resist any clandestine attempt to silence or ridicule us to Oblivion.
“Nigeria, to the best of my knowledge is not a lawless society. We should begin to do things that will project us favourably and rightly too, to the international community.
“No law permits anyone to invade, subdue or overawe any Nigerian citizen in his or her residence with a flimsy, fraudulently obtained search warrant.
“We are making efforts now to ensure that henceforth, every search or arrest warrant must be issued with the knowledge and approval of the Chief Judge of the respective state or federal high court as the case may be”, the CJN said.
Chief Awomolo (SAN) who spoke for the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, at the special court session said that they are demanding for the immediate prosecution of those arrested and paraded for the invasion of Justice Odili’s residence .
He said the body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria is concerned about the welfare, security and safety of judges . Security operatives who carried out that illegal operations might have done that for their selfish reasons and that is why they should be charged .
Awomolo assured Nigerians that the judiciary indeed the justices will guarantee a fair hearing .