Prof Itse Sagay has queried where the sum of N360m allegedly seized from one of the judge’s residence came from
The senior lawyer says judges deserve dignity and should be treated with utmost respect
Sagay notes that respect for judges is based on their conduct, record and attitude, adding that when that conduct fails, then they will be are treated otherwise
Professor-Sagay says respect for judges is based on their conduct, record and attitude.
Chairman of the presidential advisory committee against corruption, Prof Itse Sagay (SAN), has accused senior lawyers of corrupting judges.
Sagay, reacting to the recent arrest and detention of two Justices of the Supreme Court and two High Court Judges by the DSS queried where the sum of N360m allegedly seized from one of the judge’s residence came from.
The senior lawyer said judges deserve dignity and to be treated with utmost respect, but noted that a situation where judges fail to meet up to expected standards, then they should be treated like any other persons.
“When you have a god that you are worshipping and the god brings himself down to your level, then what it is saying is that you should stop worshipping him and you should treat him like any other person. That is the phenomenon we are dealing with,” he said.
Sagay said respect for judges is based on their conduct, record and attitude, adding that when that conduct fails, then they have exposed themselves to the situation, which they are treated.
“Judges, according to the law, enjoy immunity against searches and arrests. In regard to how judges are treated, as people who are above god, people of the greatest moral authority, when that is gone and they are like you and me in conduct, scrambling for money and taking money from parties before their courts, in order to abuse their position, then the law applies to them as it applies to every other person,” he said.
Sagay absolved the Nigerian Judicial Council (NJC) of blame over the said money found in the judges homes, noting that NJC was not established to deal with the epidermic that is seen in the judiciary, in terms of judicial corruption.
“We are facing an epidermic. It means if you don’t have money you can never get justice. So I think there is a need to really introduce drastic measures to purify the system.” Sagay noted.
Meanwhile, the Senate on Tuesday, October 11 launched a probe into the raid of the homes of judges by the Department of State Service (DSS) at the weekend in a strong to reaction to the event that shocked many Nigerians.
Senate president Bukola Saraki announced the investigation during a session of the upper chamber of legislature on Tuesday.
The Senate began proceedings with an executive session which went on for several minutes. Although Saraki announced after taking his seat that the session was just about the current economic recession, the House went straight to the issue of the DSS raid.
The Senate began proceedings with an executive session which went on for several minutes. Although Saraki announced after taking his seat that the session was just about the current economic recession, the House went straight to the issue of the DSS raid.
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