- As mixed reactions continue to trail the arrest and investigation of 15 judges nationwide for alleged corruption by the Department of State Services (DSS), it has emerged that the investigation into the judges started as far back as January or February this year.
- Following the crackdown on the judges, DSS sources yesterday gave information that seven judges, including two of the Supreme Court – Justices Okoro and Ngwuta – who were arrested over the two-day raid, had been released.
- Others that were released by the DSS included Justice Muhammad Ladan Tsamiya of the Court of Appeal; Justice Kabiru Auta in Kano; Justice Mu’azu Pindiga who was arrested in Gombe; the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Justice Ibrahim Auta; and Justice Adeniyi Ademola.
- However, the CJN has not taken kindly to the arrest of his colleagues on the bench of the Nigerian judiciary. The CJN, who spoke for the first time on this issue Monday at the valedictory session held in honour of a retired, said he was saddened by the event.
- “We maintain our position that these operations are illegal and unconstitutional. I want to reiterate that the position of the NBA is not aimed at protecting any judge. We are not also shielding any judges from investigation from charges of corruption.”
- Meanwhile, the impact of the judges’ arrest was apparent yesterday when all Federal High Courts in the Abuja division failed to sit on any of the cases billed for hearing, and no reason was given by the courts.
- Read more From Thisday
How NJC Rejected DSS’ Request to Probe Judges
