16th May, 2012
Few days after commending the National Judicial Council (NJC) for asking President Goodluck Jonathan to reinstate the suspended President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami, the Lagos State House of Assembly has further raised concerns over the seeming delay to recall him.
Members of the Assembly complained and wondered why President Jonathan was slow to act when he was quick to suspend him earlier.
They also punctured the argument by the Presidency that it was slow to act because Justice Salami was still in court over the same issue.
In his contribution, a member of the House, Sanai Agunbiade, informed his colleagues that President Jonathan’s argument was not tenable.
According to him, Salami was already in court before his suspension and since the same demand for which he went to court had been decided, it was necessary for the President to immediately reinstate Salami without further delay.
His contribution was supported by other members on the floor of the House.
The Assembly, through its Chairman, House Committee on Information, Strategy, Security and Publicity, Olusegun Olulade, had commended the NJC for summoning the courage to finally reinstate Justice Ayo Salami.
The House had also commended Justice Salami “for his immense courage, resilience, doggedness, discipline and ability to stand by the truth at all times, no matter whose ox is gored.”
The House charged Nigerians to take a cue from the Salami’s example adding that the sustainability of democracy and good governance in Nigeria is absolutely hinged on the readiness of all citizens, institutions and stakeholders to stand by the truth and promote the salient values and ideals of democracy.
—Eromosele Ebhomele