The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, yesterday warned that the judiciary had had enough embarrassment and harassment of its officers across the country and would thenceforth resist such actions.
Muhammad made the observation in Abuja during the conferment of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) on 72 lawyers, as well as the commencement of the 2021/2022 legal year of the Supreme Court.
He made the declaration with particular reference to the recent invasion of the residence of the second most senior Justice of the Supreme Court, Mary Peter-Odili, by some rogue security operatives.
Odili, wife of former governor of Rivers State, Dr Peter Odili, had her Abuja home raided by armed security operatives on October 29, on the strength of a search warrant that was said to have been fraudulently obtained.
The CJN said the Judiciary would begin to assert itself so as to become the pride of the nation adding that it would not sit by and watch its officers being ridiculed.
He said the silence of the judiciary should never be mistaken for stupidity or weakness.
“On a very sad note, I must say, we were jolted with embarrassingly news of the invasion of the official residence of one of our brother Justices, Hon Justice Mary Peter Odili on Friday, October 29 by men suspected to be security operatives, acting on a search warrant.
“The said warrant was purportedly obtained from an Abuja magistrate’s court under questionable circumstances.
“I must make it known to all and sundry that we have had enough dosage of such embarrassment and harassment of our judicial officers across the country and we can no longer take any of such shenanigans.
“We shall begin to resist any clandestine attempt to silence or ridicule us to oblivion.
“Nigeria, to the best of my knowledge, is not a lawless society. We should begin to do things that will project us favourably and rightly too, to the international community.
“No law permits anyone to invade, subdue or overawe any Nigerian citizen in his or her residence with a flimsy, fraudulently obtained search warrant,” he said.
The CJN noted that by the nature of their work, they are conservative but not conquered species and should not be pushed further by any individual, institution or agency of the government.
He assured Nigerians that very soon, those taking judiciary as a mere weakling will soon realise that “it is from the calmest seas we often experience the fiercest storms.”
“No one, irrespective of his or her status or position in the country, should test our will because the consequences of such unwarranted provocation will be too dire to bear.
“We are making efforts now to ensure that henceforth, every search or arrest warrant must be issued with the knowledge and approval of the chief judge of the respective state or federal high court as the case may be,” he added.
On the new SANs, the CJN said the beneficiaries, in all ramifications and by all standards, excelled in the practice of law and subsequently conferred with the rank.
He equally used the opportunity to lament the setback caused by the protracted strike by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN), saying it came with excruciating impact on the smooth dispensation of justice.
Despite the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and a better part of 2021, the CJN disclosed that a total of 746 corruption-related cases were dispensed with.
He also stated that the total number of forfeited non-cash recoveries made included 51 automobiles, 16 real estates, 11 barges/tug boats and two schools in the outgoing year.
In 2021, a total number of 1,143 suspects were convicted of various corruption and financial related crimes.
The number of non-cash forfeited assets stood at either aircraft, seven filling stations, 48 real estates and 149 vehicles, amongst others.
In particular reference to the Supreme Court, Muhammad said a total of 681 cases comprising motions and appeals were entertained.
“Out of these, we heard 312 civil, 95 criminal and five political, making a total of 412 motions.
“Similarly, the court considered a total of 269 appeals, comprising 139 civil, 102 criminal and 28 political. A total number of 216 judgements were delivered in the year.
“I will confidently say that this scorecard is impressive,” he added.
