Lawyer Tasks EFCC On Corrupt Judges

Mr. Bamidele Aturu on Tuesday urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to probe corrupt judges.

Aturu, a Lagos-based lawyer, made the call in Lagos in a speech at a symposium: “The Necessity of an Impeccable Judiciary to Sustainable Democracy”.

The symposium was organised by the Alumni Association of Nigeria Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Lagos.

Aturu said the probe would help expose the corrupt ones and help sanitise the nation’s judiciary which, he said, was currently being rocked by corruption allegations.

“I want EFCC, ICPC to probe them. When judges buy cars, build houses that are above their means, such judges must be investigated,” he said.

The legal practitioner said it would be extremely myopic for anybody to exempt the judiciary from corruption which, according to him, has been institutionalised in Nigeria.

He said: “The judiciary is a reflection of the larger society. Allegations that some judges took bribes and became rich after sitting on election petition tribunals are embarrassing.”

Aturu also fingered the media, lawyers as well as indecent politicians for being responsible for the lingering crisis in the judiciary.

Speaking in the same vein, a veteran journalist, Mr. Richard Akinnola, advised the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu and the Appeal Court President, Justice Ayo Salami, to vacate their positions.

“I think both of them should go. They have succeeded in bringing the integrity of the judiciary to disrepute.

“No matter the outcome of the NJC enquiry, the allegations and counter-allegations we have heard have cast doubts on the integrity of the judiciary,” Akinola said.

He urged the media to remain neutral in the face-off between both jurists, adding that “it is its duty to represent the interests of ordinary Nigerians.”