The midnight raid and arrest of some federal judges by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) has diverse reactions from Nigerians.
While some people described the arrest of the judges as unconstitutional, other argued that the DSS acted within the scope of the constitution.
How it happened
In the early hours of Saturday, October 8, DSS operatives launched a sting operation in several parts of the country. Sylvester Ngwuta and John Okoro were taken to the EFCC custody and scheduled to appear in court on Monday, October 10. Justice Ngwuta allegedly traveled to Qatar to receive the bribe which he shared with Justice Okoro and others.
The bribe was allegedly for Governor Wike to win his election case which got to the Supreme Court. When Justice Ngwunta’s house was raided, the DSS allegedly recovered N35,208 million, $319,475, 25,890 pounds and 280 Euros.
NJC set to hold emergency meeting over DSS raids When the DSS stormed Justice Adeniyi Ademola’s residence, it was learnt that the judge told the security agents that he was not at home even though his cellphone showed his true location.
He was later arrested in the home allegedly with N54 million cash, $171,779, 4,400 Euros, 1,010 Rupees, and 80 pounds.
Justice Okoro also had N4.35 million, $38,833 and 1000 Euros when his house was raided. The raid in Rivers was foiled by the sudden appearance of Governor Nyesom Wike who prevented the EFCC from arresting Justice Abdullahi Liman.
The DSS maintained that the sting operation was to rid the country of corrupt judges who have been sabotaging the anticorruption crusade of President Muhammadu Buhari. In support of the arrested judges
The Nigerian Bar association was first to immediately condemned the arrest and raid on the judges and declared a state of emergency in the judiciary.
It called for an unconditional release of the arrested judges and noted that the judicial committee should be allowed to handle cases of erring judges.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was also very critical of the situation as it described President Buhari as a dictator who is worse than the late General Sani Abacha for allowing judges to be arrested.
Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti and Femi Fani-Kayode also said the arrest of the judges was unconstitutional. Oby Ezekwesili said that although she supported the fight against corruption, she insisted that due process be followed.
In defence of DSS The DSS released a statement shortly after the raid insisting that it followed due process in the arrest of the judges.
The security agency insisted that it got several petitions against the allegedly corrupt judges and said it duly got warrants for their arrest.
It also promised to maintain the raid against corrupt justice. Femi Falana, the popular human rights lawyer criticized the NBA for rushing to the defence of the judges while ignoring several petitions against them.
Alleged bribe: DSS official releases details on Justice Liman Falana said the arrest of the judges was as a result of the lawyers’ inability to address important issues affecting the profession.
President Buhari in a statement via his media aide said the judiciary was not under attack but corruption and dismissed allegation that he was clamping down on judges for no reason.
He noted that he was duly briefed by the DSS that due process and adherence to the constitution was followed. Do you think judges should be arrested by security operatives? Vote in the poll below and leave your thought in the comment section
While some people described the arrest of the judges as unconstitutional, other argued that the DSS acted within the scope of the constitution.
How it happened
In the early hours of Saturday, October 8, DSS operatives launched a sting operation in several parts of the country. Sylvester Ngwuta and John Okoro were taken to the EFCC custody and scheduled to appear in court on Monday, October 10. Justice Ngwuta allegedly traveled to Qatar to receive the bribe which he shared with Justice Okoro and others.
The bribe was allegedly for Governor Wike to win his election case which got to the Supreme Court. When Justice Ngwunta’s house was raided, the DSS allegedly recovered N35,208 million, $319,475, 25,890 pounds and 280 Euros.
NJC set to hold emergency meeting over DSS raids When the DSS stormed Justice Adeniyi Ademola’s residence, it was learnt that the judge told the security agents that he was not at home even though his cellphone showed his true location.
He was later arrested in the home allegedly with N54 million cash, $171,779, 4,400 Euros, 1,010 Rupees, and 80 pounds.
Justice Okoro also had N4.35 million, $38,833 and 1000 Euros when his house was raided. The raid in Rivers was foiled by the sudden appearance of Governor Nyesom Wike who prevented the EFCC from arresting Justice Abdullahi Liman.
The DSS maintained that the sting operation was to rid the country of corrupt judges who have been sabotaging the anticorruption crusade of President Muhammadu Buhari. In support of the arrested judges
The Nigerian Bar association was first to immediately condemned the arrest and raid on the judges and declared a state of emergency in the judiciary.
It called for an unconditional release of the arrested judges and noted that the judicial committee should be allowed to handle cases of erring judges.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was also very critical of the situation as it described President Buhari as a dictator who is worse than the late General Sani Abacha for allowing judges to be arrested.
Governor Ayo Fayose of Ekiti and Femi Fani-Kayode also said the arrest of the judges was unconstitutional. Oby Ezekwesili said that although she supported the fight against corruption, she insisted that due process be followed.
In defence of DSS The DSS released a statement shortly after the raid insisting that it followed due process in the arrest of the judges.
The security agency insisted that it got several petitions against the allegedly corrupt judges and said it duly got warrants for their arrest.
It also promised to maintain the raid against corrupt justice. Femi Falana, the popular human rights lawyer criticized the NBA for rushing to the defence of the judges while ignoring several petitions against them.
Alleged bribe: DSS official releases details on Justice Liman Falana said the arrest of the judges was as a result of the lawyers’ inability to address important issues affecting the profession.
President Buhari in a statement via his media aide said the judiciary was not under attack but corruption and dismissed allegation that he was clamping down on judges for no reason.
He noted that he was duly briefed by the DSS that due process and adherence to the constitution was followed. Do you think judges should be arrested by security operatives? Vote in the poll below and leave your thought in the comment section
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