Disobedience of court order by Correctional Centre CG is unhealthy for democracy, says Adegboruwa

Senior Advocate of Nigeria and human right lawyer, Mr. Ebun-Olu Adegboruwa has warned that the disobedience of court order by the Controller General of the Correctional Centre is unhealthy for democracy.
 
According to him, the controller general recently gave an order to his officers not to admit new defendants into the Correctional Centres, presumably as part of COVID 19 precautions.
 
He said the order, which has very grave implication for the rule of law and the administration of justice in Nigeria is now being complied with.
 
His words: “The reports across the country is that defendants who are arraigned in court for very serious capital offences are being denied admission into custody at the Correctional Centres, in compliance with the executive order of the CGCC, in violation of the order of various courts for their remand, pending trial.

“The danger that this illegal order of the CGCC poses to the due administration of justice are many; likelihood of escape by defendants who have capital offences to deal with, tampering with witnesses and also compromising evidence.”

Where does the CCGC expect the courts to keep persons who are newly sentenced and convicted, for instance? 
 
“The CGCC cannot rely on the Correctional Services Act to exercise powers in conflict with the authority of a court of law duly established under the Constitution. It is an aberration that should not be allowed to fester.
 
“I therefore call upon the Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, to direct the CGCC to ensure compliance with all orders of court in respect of defendants awaiting trial and those already convicted by the court. COVID 19 should not be an excuse to disobey court orders,” he stressed.