NJC complicit in judicial corruption in Nigeria – Odinkalu

NJC complicit in judicial corruption in Nigeria – Odinkalu

 Former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission,
Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, has accused the National Judicial Council, NJC, of being
“deeply complicit in judicial corruption” in the country.

 

According to him, NJC is handing out irresponsible slaps on
the wrist of corrupt judges with utter disregard for their effect on judicial
integrity.

 

Odinkalu claimed that the NJC as currently constituted is
part of the problem not part of the solution.

 

The statement comes after the NJC slammed one year
suspension without pay on three Judges of the High Court in the country for
various acts of judicial misconduct.

 

DAILY POST reported that the affected judges include Hon.
Justice Jane Inyang of the Court of Appeal, Uyo Division, Hon. Justice Inyang
Edem Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division and Hon. Justice Aminu
Baffa Aliyu of the Federal High Court, Zamfara Division.

 

However, Odinkalu, in a post on his X handle on Thursday,
expressed displeasure about the sanctions meted out by NJC against the affected
judges.

 

He specifically stated that what the NJC has done in those
cases is just not good enough, arguing that its dispositions are evidence of
the deep malaise that currently afflicts the country’s judiciary.

 

Odinkalu’s words: “Jane Inyang became Justice of
@CourtOfAppealNG in Sept 2023, less than 2 yrs ago. Yesterday, @njcNig
suspended her for just 1 yr for egregious acts of judicial corruption while she
sat in @FederalHigh. How can she still be a judge?!

 

“This was part of the last minute elevations masterminded by
the baleful Olukakayode Ariwoola was he made his way out of office as the Chief
Justice of Nigeria, #CJN, in Aug 2024.

 

“The only miracle in the case of Inyang Ekwo is how he has
remained on the bench until now. He’s bn one of the more predictable judges in
@FederalHigh. For the past year, he has bn under caution by @njcNig. Now, he has
bn suspended for delivering judgment without hearing parties!

 

“Many will see these dispositions by @njcNig as progress;
May be. But, these dispositions are evidence of the deep malaise that currently
afflicts the #NigerianJudiciary. 1st, if a person is as crooked as Jane Inyang
or as Inyang Ekwo, how can that person be a judge to begin with?

 

“2nd, if a judge can behave with such manifest impunity
& disregard for the basic rules of judicial comportment as these 2 &
still remain a judge – that’s what suspension for 1 year means – what wld it
take for a judge to be relieved of their position? May be commit murder….?

 

“3rd, how did Jane Inyang manage to make it to
@CourtOfAppealNG while the complaint about her conduct was still pending?
@njcNig says it has suspended her from elevation for 5 yrs. U know what that
means? She can still get to @SupremeCourtNg. U see the mess we are in?

 

“In plain language, the @njcNig is now deeply complicit in
judicial corruption. It is handing out these irresponsible slaps on the wrist
with utter disregard for their effect on judicial integrity or the damage that
these entrench in the judiciary. This rot is deeply criminal.

 

“The conclusion is inescapable that @njcNig as currently
constituted is part of the problem not part of the solution.

What it has done in these cases is just not good enough. If
it is not willing to root out judicial crookedness, then it should be rooted
out.”

 

Source: NJC complicit in judicial corruption in Nigeria – Odinkalu

 - NigerianEye
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