NAN-H-108
Judges
By Chukwuemeka Opara
Abakaliki, Oct. 27, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Abakaliki branch, has said that the trial of judges accused of corruption will reinforce the citizens’ confidence in the judiciary.
The Chairman of the branch, Mr Victor Anyanwu, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki on Thursday that it was in support of the anti-graft war.
He said that such trials would make the public believe that no one is above the law.
“The public would realise that judges who prosecute others can also be prosecuted for violating the law.
“The country’s president, his deputy, governors and their deputies are the only ones covered by immunity when they are in office, but will be tried for any established cases on leaving office.
“Prosecuting the judges will also send a signal to other judges, lawyers and judicial officers to be careful because they are under public scrutiny,” he said.
The NBA chairman also remarked that the branch was against calls for the judges to step aside from performing their official functions, noting that it was unjust.
“Several serving political office holders are currently answering charges of corruption and no one has mandated them to stop performing their duties.
“The call for the judges to step aside suggests favouritism and everyone should be equal before the laws that govern the country,” he said.
Anyanwu remarked that the branch was in support of the fight against corruption but insisted that due process must be followed in prosecuting it.
“There is no possibility that the learned judges would not submit themselves for prosecution when required and this makes it wrong for their houses to be attacked at night in the guise of arrest.
“They should be respected as judges and we are aware that several people have been accused of committing several crimes in the country but still operate freely.
“They have not run from being prosecuted as there are ways in which the corruption fight would be prosecuted and it would amount to violation of rights,” he said.
He remarked that the branch had been exploring avenues to educate its members to shun corrupt practices to avoid bringing disgrace upon themselves.
“Corruption is a malaise that has brought negative consequences upon the country and current events have brought untold embarrassment to the judiciary,” he said. (NAN)
RCO/Ak/MVO
(Edited by Akin Makanjuola/Mbadiwe Okwor)