
A Non-Governmental Organisation, Advocacy for Justice and Good Governance (AJGG) has warned a section of the political elites in Kano state against any act that could portray the judiciary in bad light.
Led by Mr. Francis Nzeoke, the group in a statement argued that the ongoing effort by aggrieved politicians to drag the name of the judicial in the mud could undermine the rule of law in the country.
The group was reacting to the controversy surrounding the decision of the Court of Appeal judges on the appeal filed by Governor Abba Yusuf over the decision of the Kano election petition tribunal that nullified his victory in the general elections earlier in the year.
AJGG faulted the Kano state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Haruna Isa Dederi for accusing justices of the Appeal Court of corruption without justifiable reasons.
AJGG’s challenged the commissioner should come forward and give the specifics on who the actual corrupt judges he was referring to in his claim.
It will be recalled that Mr Dederi had on Wednesday appeared on Channels Television programme ‘Sunrise Daily’ where he made spurious allegations on the justices of the Appeal Court.
Nzeoke said recent development in Kano over the election litigations has been making officials of the state government threaten, harass judges and malign the judiciary.
Nzeoke pointed out that AJGG along with other NGOs would speak out against any attempt by politicians to ridicule men of unblemish legal record or in any way bully judges and justices.
The NGO also tasked the Nigerian Bar Association to ensure that appropriate disciplinary measures are taken against its erring members.
“We are calling on the authorities to question Dederi so that he provides evidence of all the allegations he made on Channels Television. If he cannot he should be arrested and prosecuted.
“ We are worried about the turn of events in recent times where politicians lose cases in the court and resort to dishing out threats on justices. It is a bad omen for our democracy and the rule of law.”
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