Access to Justice :: Journals

Oyo State: The Oyo State Government on Tuesday, 20th of October, 2004, announced the removal of the State's Chief Judge, Justice Isaiah Olakanmi for alleged financial impropriety and misadministration. The announcement came after the State Judicial Service Commission earlier asked the C.J and Chief Registrar, Mrs. G.U. Akinrinmade to proceed on suspension.

The decision by the Judicial Service Commission to suspend the C.J. and his Chief Registrar (also for financial impropriety and misadministration) and the C.J's subsequent removal has been a source of much disquiet in judicial circles. The NJC has protested that the suspension and subsequent removal of the C.J. usurped its constitutional powers over the discipline and removal of judges. Justice Olakanmi is challenging his removal in court.

Enugu State: The Enugu State Government has sworn in Justice Innocent Umezuluike as the new Chief Judge of the State. The NJC had earlier recommended another Judge, Justice Rapheal Agbo, who was the second in rank to the retiring Justice Jacob Ugwu, whose tenure expired on December 13th 2004. The State Government was however favourably disposed to Umezuluike, who headed a government panel of inquiry in 2001 into the “Adoration tragedy” and handed down a decision that absolved the State Government of blame. The Adoration Tragedy refers to the crisis that arose between the government and the Catholic Church over the deaths of 14 persons who lost their lives after an attack at the Government Technical College, venue of the programme administered by the fiery catholic priest, Ejike Mbaka.

Abuja: Retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Samson Odenwingie Uwaifo in his valedictory speech at the Supreme Court on 24th January 2005 at Abuja expressed concern that corruption isgradually taking root in the nation's judiciary, noting that if unchecked it could lead to the collapse of the current democratic dispensation.

According to him, “A corrupt judge is more harmful to the society than a man who runs amok with a dagger in a crowded street”.

Ex - FHC Judge, Senlong, Challenges Dismissal: For over a decade Justice Chrysanthus Paul Senlong sat as a judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria (Lagos Division). However, on Monday 14th March 2005, he mounted the witness box as a plaintiff to challenge his dismissal over alleged attempt to induce an election petition panel.

Justice Senlong, while led in evidence by his lead counsel, Joe Daudu (SAN), brandished a letter from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Chief Uffot Ekaette, dated February 25th, 2004 entitled: “Dismissal of Justice C.P.N. Senlong of Federal High Court from the Federal Judicial Service.”

On the 27th of February, 2005, the National Judicial Council (NJC) in a press statement intoned that “following the investigation by the NJC on the complaints that the members of the Akwa Ibom State Governor ship elections tribunal received bribe, the NJC suspended three of them from duty.” The three judges are Justices M.M. Adamu, Chairman of the tribunal, D.T. Ahura and A.M. Elelegwu, members. In addition, the council also suspended Justice C.P.N. Senlong of the Federal High Court, for the despicable role played in attempting to influence the said electoral tribunal.

At the trial, Justice Senlong told the court that the conflicting allegations against him showed the tardiness in the circumstances surrounding what he called ‘unfair dismissal from service.

“Judicial training should include skills training: how to unite opinions, interacting with the Public and the press, and judicial independence…. because then it will remain within them as a lesson – like a vaccination” – Legal and Judicial Reform in Central Europe and the former Soviet Union (2000: 33)

Judges, as part of their personal and professional code must avoid conflict of interest - Justice Anthony Kennedy, US Supreme Court of Justice: Judicial Ethics and the Rule of Law