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Marching Transgressors Out
-NEWS Summaries from Across the Nation

By Tolulope Kuponiyi-Oluwaranti

Within the first quarter of the year, many of their Lordships made news headlines in various ways. More importantly were those who were made to answer for breach of their Judicial Oaths of Office. Although the list is long, below are some of the highlights:

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Akwa – Ibom State Election Tribunal Members Disgraced Out : All members of the Akwa Ibom State Election Tribunal, save one who died before his case was concluded, were found guilty by the NJC of accepting bribes to write judgments in favour of Akwa Ibom state Governor, Obong Victor Attah.

Justice M.M. Adamu a member of the tribunal was also dismissed with effect from February 26, 2004, by Governor Joshua Dariye of Plateau State. Chief Magistrate James Isede also a member of the tribunal was dismissed by the Judicial Service Commission of Edo State with effect from March 1, 2004.

News Agency of Nigeria reports that Justice Teryila Ahura another member of the Akwa Ibom State Governorship Election Tribunal was said to have collapsed and died in Makurdi when detectives stormed his residence to pick him up for further interrogation over his role in the bribery scandal. He reportedly died of shock and hypertension.

Alongside, the Honourable Justice Senlong of the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, was dismissed by President Obasanjo based on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council. His Lordship was dismissed for attempting to influence members of the Election Petition Tribunal to give judgment in favour of his friend, Chief Ime Sampson Umanah, who was governorship candidate of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP).

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Rivers State : The issue of =N=200,000 per judge Judiciary Overheads grant made news in Rivers State and the Chief Judge was at the receiving end. Justice Iche Ndu, the CJ Rivers State was alleged to have misappropriated the sum of N=150 Million meant for judges' welfare, thereby incurring the wrath of his Learned Brothers in the state.

The Chief Judge promptly denied the allegations pointing out that the N200,000:00 per judge monthly grant released to the State Judiciary by the NJC was for the overhead expenses and not judges' allowance as insinuated.

In a statement in Port Harcourt, the CJ through the Chief Registrar of the State High Court, Mr. Adolphus Enebeli, absolved himself of any involvement in any financial scandal. The Chief Registrar concluded by saying that the CJ as the head of the judiciary in the State does not sign for money, as it was the responsibility of the Chief Registrar who is the chief accounting officer to do so.

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Akwa Ibom - The Chief Judge of Akwa Ibom has sued the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) to court. Justice Akpam Ekong-Bassey Idiong is asking for a court order restraining the Commission and its Chairman from further investigating him after having been cleared by the NJC of which Justice Akanbi (ICPC Chairman) is a member and participated in all the proceedings leading to his clearance.

“Good name in man or woman... is the immediate jewel of their souls: who steals my purse steals trash.... But he who filches from me my good name robs me of that which not enriches him. And makes me poor indeed” - Oputa JSC quoting Shakespeare in Olaniyan v. Unilag