NBA Condemned Judges abduction, Declares State Of Emergency In Judiciary

NBA Condemned Judges abduction, Declares State Of Emergency In Judiciary 

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) yesterday condemned the midnight arrests of some judicial officers by some operatives of the Department of State Services, warning the federal government of "grave consequences" If the justice and judges arrested are not immediately released without conditions.

The NBA, which stated this at a press conference addressed in Lagos by its president, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), also declared a state of emergency in the judiciary.

The association also set up a Crisis Management Team comprising of former presidents of the association and past general secretaries to investigate the situation.

The NBA also condemned what it described as "Gestapo style operation", saying that it will not be allowed in a democracy.

According to Mahmoud, two Supreme Court justices Inyang Okoro and Sylvester Ngwuta were "abducted", with their families.

The NBA president also said, "I want to, on behalf of the Bar Association, make the very following clear and unequivocal demands: we demand the immediate, unconditional release of all the judges abducted from about 9pm yesterday (Friday).

"The release must be done immediately and without any conditions. Two, we demand that the Department of State Services (DSS) should limit itself to its statutory and constitutional responsibilities.

At the briefing were former NBA presidents Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Joseph Daudu (SAN), bar leaders Yusuf Ali (SAN), former NBA General Secretary Dele Adesina (SAN), among others.

Also in his reaction to the incident, human rights activist, Mike Ozekhome called on Nigerians rise up and speak against what he called the latest onslaught on the Judiciary.

He said, "Are u surprised? I am not.I am rather surprised that some Nigerians are still surprised. Some of us warned, wrote, preache, talked, but, we were maximally ignored due to political partisanship.

A leopard cannot change it's spots. Welcome, full blown dictatorship and fascism that are now here with us.

It started with political opponents and opposition. Some of us cried out. Many gloated with eclat and a sense of victory at opponents' horiffic travails.

Then,they moved against some very senior and well respected lawyers being rubbished. Some clapped. They said it was anti-corruption. We cried out. It extended quicly to the National Assembly, another different arm of government.

Many hailed the Govt as tough, no-nonsense  and anti-corruption- inclined. Some of us warned. Now, the Judiciary, up to the very apex court of the land, the Supreme Court, has been targeted and is now being intimidated, humiliated and annexed.

The incoming Chief Justice of Nigeria is said to be profiled. Why? Your guess is as good as mine. Virtually all the judges are southerners.

My prediction? The  media, the 4th Estate of the realm, will be next.

Read my lips. It reminds me of the immortal words of Martin  Niemoller, a great German ant-Nazi theologian and Lutheran, who was convicted and fined 2000 marks for "abusing" the pulpit.

He had  witnessed the Jewish holocaust and atrocities during the second world war when they horifically murdered, in their thousands, in gas chambers, Jews.

He said something to the following effect: first they came for the Jews, I did nothing because I was not a Jew. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, I did nothing because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Catholics, I did nothing because I was not a Catholic. Then they came for the Socialists, I did nothing because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Marxists, I did  nothing because I was not a Marxist. Then they came for me and it was too late as there was nobody left to speak for me.

The earlier Nigerians rise up and speak against this latest onslaught on the Judiciary, the better for all of us and democracy. I am greatly troubled for my dear country.