NBA condemns govt’s failure to tackle insecurity
The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) yesterday expressed dismay about
government’s inability to address insecurity.
It said the free reign of Boko Haram in the Northeast made Nigerians to question the basis of “this government’s existence and its capacity to deliver on its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property.”
NBA President, Augustine Alegeh (SAN), who spoke in Abuja at the valedictory court session in honour of the retired Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloma Mukhtar, noted that it was impossible for the country to have a free and fair election next year if the Federal Government remained helpless while insurgents’ activities threatened the existence of the country.
He said: “The NBA is worried about the state of our country. It is witnessing the level of insecurity never experienced in its history.
“The question agitating our minds now is whether the government charged to protect the lives and property of the citizens no longer has the capacity to do so.
This question arises in view of the audacity and temerity with which Boko Haram insurgents are operating.
“They recently extended their mode of operations by annexing some cities in the Northeast, renaming them as if there is no government in place. Yet Section 14(2) of the 1999 Constitution provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.
“It will appear that the military is not equipped and empowered for defence of Nigeria and Nigerians from internal and external aggression and maintenance of Nigeria’s territorial environment. The annexation and renaming of any part of the country is an assault on the territorial integrity of Nigeria.” Alegeh regretted the deceitful manner the government was going about the supposed fight against
insurgency, citing the much publicised purported ceasefire agreement between government and Boko Haram, which turned out to be a hoax.
The NBA president demanded a “total overhaul and reorganisation of the Armed Forces.”
He urged the Federal Government to equip the Armed Forces and inject human resources to position it for efficient and effective performance of its responsibilities.
Alegeh praised Justice Mukhtar for her reform initiatives, which he said helped to improve public confidence in the judiciary and enhance its capacity for effective justice delivery.
Justice Mukhtar, who expressed satisfaction about her performance in office, said contrary to claims in some quarters, all the judges who were investigated and sanctioned during her tenure were “given fair hearing with defence lawyers in attendance.” She said the appointments made under her were on merit and the process transparent.
“I earnestly desired to leave a better and stronger Judiciary than I met it, and in the process, I may have stepped on many toes. Standard needed to be raised and equality of citizens needed to be assured, so that every citizen, no matter how lowly, will restore his faith and trust in the Judiciary. The fear of God has always been my guiding principle,” Justice Mukhtar said.
She reiterated her call on the Executive to abide by the principle of separation of power and rule of law, arguing that no democracy could survive a hobbled Judiciary, where law and order could not be guaranteed.
The first woman Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mrs. Folake Solanke, who regretted corruption in the Judiciary, urged Justice Mukhtar’s successor, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, to sustain the reform measures started by his predecessor.
The Nation
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