The Senate has said the resignation of the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Tanko Muhammad, won’t stop the upper chamber’s probe of corruption allegations levelled against him by Justices of the Supreme Court.
This followed a motion by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele.
Bamidele’s motion was titled: “Matter of urgent public importance on the state of affairs in the Supreme Court of Nigeria and demand by Justices of the court, pursuant to rules 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Orders, 2022 (as amended).”
It would be recalled that the Supreme Court Justices, in a letter, accused Justice Muhammad of being indifferent to their plight.
They noted that the immediate past CJN totally ignored the demand and travelled abroad with his spouse, children and personal staff.
Other issues raised by the Supreme Court Justices include accommodation, healthcare, electricity tariff, vehicles, supply of diesel, internet services to justices’ residences, among others.
Justice Muhammad later reacted via a statement issued by his spokesperson, Ahuraka Isah, saying the challenges were borne out of the high cost of electricity tariff and diesel, which he said are “national problem”.
Justice Muhammad, on Monday, however, announced his resignation as the CJN, citing ill-health as the reason for his decision.
The next most senior Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, was later swore in as the acting CJN by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Senate had last Wednesday ordered the Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, to, as a matter of urgency, wade into the crisis rocking the judiciary.
Following prayers of the motion, the Senate resolved to mandate the committee to go ahead with its assignment in the quest to find a lasting solution to the matter by interacting with relevant stakeholders.
READ ALSO: Memory disorder forced ex-CJN Muhammad to resign
This is with a view to addressing the complaints raised in the petition by the Justices of the Supreme Court.
The upper chamber of the National Assembly also mandated the committee to interface with the relevant stakeholders in the three arms of government as well as at the Bar and the Bench.
Earlier, Bamidele, while moving the motion pursuant to Rules 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Orders, noted that poor welfare of judicial officers would affect the delivery of the judiciary in respect of their output and would prevent them not to perform optimally.
“The sacred image of the judiciary, which is the epicentre of the temple of justice should be preserved by the Senate through appropriate legislative measures in order to safeguard this highly revered institution and prevent it from being ridiculed,” he said.
The lawmaker, who regretted the former CJN’s resignation, said: “This development will not prevent the committee from going ahead with its assignment in the quest to find a probable lasting solution to the matter.
“Even though Muhammad has stepped down as CJN, most of the issues raised by the Justices of the Supreme Court and other stakeholders within the judiciary still remain and need to be addressed urgently to prevent an eventual shut-down of the Judiciary.”
Supporting the motion, Deputy Chief Whip, Sen. Sabi Abdullahi, said: “This motion will show clearly that the Senate is not unaware of the role it is supposed to play.
“Of course, in playing that role, we also respect separation of powers. Our concern is that the judiciary as an arm of government deserves all the support it needs been the last hope as far as the rule of law is concerned.”
Similarly, Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege stated: “I am very embarrassed as a lawyer and also someone from the judicial family.
“Seeing that petition on the social media and eventually on the mainstream media, I was taken aback because it has never happened, it is unprecedented.
“There is no reason why the judiciary should lack anything financially.”
In his remarks, Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, said: “I can see most of the emphasis is on funding. When we look into the issues, they go beyond funding.
“We should look at other areas whether there is need to improve on the structures or having issues that may not be about funding but funding is of course a major issue.”
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