Ibrahim Muhammad, chief justice of Nigeria (CJN), has
reacted to a letter sent to him by justices of the Supreme Court.
In the letter seen,14 justices of the apex court accused the
CJN of abandoning his responsibilities as the leader of the court.
Some of the issues raised by the justices include —
accommodation, vehicles, electricity tariff, supply of diesel, internet
services to justices’ residences, training for justices and epileptic
electricity supply to the court.
However, the CJN in a statement issued by his spokesman, Isa
Ahuraka, said he did not want to join issue with the justices, adding that the
circulation of the letter is akin to “dancing naked at the market square”.
“Judges in all climes
are to be seen and not heard, and that informed why the CJN refrained from
joining issues until a letter, said to be personal, is spreading across the
length and breadth of the society. This was akin to dancing naked at the market
square by us with the ripple effect of the said letter,” he said.
The CJN said the lack of funds owing to the impact of the
COVID pandemic affected the operations of the apex court.
“The Supreme Court definitely does not exist outside its
environment, it is also affected by the economic and socio-political climate
prevailing in the country. Besides that, the Apex Court has to a larger extent,
been living to its constitutional responsibility,” he said.
”When a budget is made, it contains two sides, that’s the
recurrent and the capital, yet all the two are broken down into items. The
federal government releases the budget based on the budget components. And it’s
an offence to spend the money meant for one item for another.
“Take, for instance, the Supreme Court budgeted this year to
re-roof and rehabilitate its complex built over 30 years ago and that is being
done. The work on the extension of the complex is near completion, the esthetic
lawns and cleanness of the perimeters are being well kept, and security and
water supply are adequately provided for his brother Justices in their offices
and residences.
“During the period of pandemic, a profound and extra-care
were maintained to avoid causalities among them as well as the staff generally.
It would have amounted to an act of irresponsibility to divert money meant for
the above for otherwise.
“The accusation so far, in summary, is that more or all
ought to have been done and not that nothing has been done; which is utopian in
the contemporary condition of our country.”
He said before eight new justices were appointed in 2020,
“there was no additional budget to provide new chambers with equipped library,
legal assistance, residential accommodations and logistics for them”.
“The apex court has to make do with the resources at its
disposal to meet their needs over time. All the justices of this court has at
least a legal assistance, except some may opt for more,” he said.
Responding to the allegation of not funding training, he
said eight Supreme Court justices were nominated for a workshop in London two
weeks ago and that they would be going in batches.
He added that “accommodations are being gradually provided
for the few that are yet to get”.
“There is none of the
apex court justices without SUV and backup cars. If any of them were purchased
but refurbished, the external and internal auditors are here in the court to
take those that bought them up over it,” he said.
“The high cost of electricity tariff and diesel are national
problems. The chief registrar might have budgeted for N300 per litre but diesel
is now selling for over N700 per litre and therefore has to find a way around
it without even bringing it to the attention of the CJN. But there is no way
the generator would be put off if the court is sitting.
“The amendment of
court rules is in process, it has to be critically reviewed to avoid conflict
with the constitution and other extant laws. Not all the CJNs has reviewed the
rules in the past.
“The internet services have been restored to Justices’
residences and chambers, just as some allowances have been paid to them. The
CJN held a meeting with his brother Justices last Thursday and another one is
due to hold this week.”
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com