Thursday, 28th March 2024
To guardian.ng
Search

Arrest of judges for graft a shame, says Onaiyekan

By Abiodun Fagbemi, Ilorin
24 October 2016   |   4:25 am
The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Cardinal John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan has called for a thorough investigation of the judges arrested over allegations of corruption, describing the development as a national embarrassment.
John Cardinal Onaiyekan

John Cardinal Onaiyekan

• Wants govt, oil firms to tackle N’Delta problems
The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Cardinal John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan has called for a thorough investigation of the judges arrested over allegations of corruption, describing the development as a national embarrassment.

Onaiyekan, who said this in Ilorin, Kwara State at the weekend, expressed disappointment with the way the National Judicial Council (NJC) handled some matters relating to the allegedly corrupt judges. He, however, called for a thorough investigation into all the cases affecting judicial officials, insisting on transparent investigation.

The cardinal declared the support of all Catholic bishops in the country to the fight against graft. He, however, warned against the abuse of fundamental human rights.

Onaiyekan said the entire world was now watching how the Buhari government is tackling corruption hence the need for suspects to be given fair hearing.

He suggested that proceedings in the National Assembly should be made to be on a part-time basis and lawmakers be paid only sitting allowance more so that the nation is experiencing economic recession. He cautioned the lawmakers not to make the electorate to lose confidence in their ability to lead them.

Answering another question, Archbishop Onaiyekan urged the Federal Government not to pay lip service to the issues affecting residents of the Niger Delta region, who are victims of oil spillage.

The cleric charged the Federal Government to provide a solution that would take care of them by the international oil companies to alleviate their sufferings with well-coordinated welfare programme.

Archbishop Onaiyekan disclosed that past governments have not been fair to people of the region where the nation gets her revenue. The cardinal also called for dialogue with the Boko Haram sects particularly on the release of the remaining Chibok girls that are still in captivity.

In this article

4 Comments

  • Author’s gravatar

    Rebranding Nigeria requires the cooperation of all.

  • Author’s gravatar

    See the ludicrous aspect – the irony of all that you people are doing: You ask the Judges to step down on allegations of corruption and your Senate President is still presiding National Assembly matters in Nigeria and you tell the World that you’re doing something about corruption!

  • Author’s gravatar

    Double talk from the Catholic Archbishop of Abuja Diocese, Cardinal John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan calling for a thorough investigation of the judges arrested over allegations of corruption, describing the development as a national embarrassment.
    Truly … a national embarrassment my Lord.
    The next phase of the earth quake will be the churches and Mosques who are criminally stupendously and corrupt under ex President Jonathan misrule benefited immensely from the treasury loots from politicians and corrupt Judges. Pumpose Pastor Ayo Orifijafe and co pastors who bought private jets under dubious circumstances must be beating their respective chests by now.Unfortunately,they have smartly sold their private jets to the lowest bidders to avert looming national disgrace as being experienced in the untouchable judiciary.