NJC meeting on clampdown inconclusive
An emergency meeting convened by the National Judicial Council (NJC) to look into the arrest of judges and justices of the Supreme Court was inconclusive.
The meeting, which began in the early hours of yesterday and continued throughout the afternoon, was later adjourned till today for continuation.The development has also affected administration of justice as most judges of the Federal High Court have refused to sit in what seemed like solidarity with their affected colleagues.
Although Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, heard cases yesterday, it was not so on Monday as the entire courtrooms were deserted by judges.
One of the cases stalled was that between the Federal Government and former Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex S. Badeh.Badeh and his defence team, led by Chief Akin Olujimi (SAN), as well as the prosecution counsel, were in the courtroom, but by 10:00 a.m., Justice Abang was yet to enter.
It then became obvious that the trial may not hold. It was not until 10.20 a.m. that the court registrar told Olujimi and others that it would not sit.
Lawyers, who returned to court yesterday in anticipation of continuation of trials, also left the premises in clusters, as the judges were not on hand to hear their matters.
It was, however, not certain what led to the adjournment of NJC meeting as stakeholders chose not to issue any statement in that regard.
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1 Comments
Very serious.
We will review and take appropriate action.