The federal government on Tuesday said it would beam its
searchlight on the judiciary, warning that any judge accused
of corruption would be prosecuted and jailed.
It said gone are the days when corrupt judges escaped from
justice in the country or allowed to enjoy their ill-gotten
wealth.
Speaking at the media launch of a report titled: “Go home
and sin no more: Corrupt judges escaping from justice in
Nigeria", published by a civil society organisation, the Socio-
Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), the
Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of
Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami (SAN), said acts of judicial
impunity would not be condoned, warning that every
allegation of corruption would be dealt with through
criminal prosecution and asset forfeiture to the state.
The report highlighted through case studies, judicial
corruption and the impunity of corrupt judges in the
country.
Malami, who was represented by his Senior Special Assistant
(White Collar Crimes), Abiodun Aikomo, said considering the
pivotal role judges play in the administration of justice, it is
important to ensure that they, like the proverbial Caesar’s
wife, are beyond reproach or even suspicion.
The AGF reminded the judges to be aware that they are not
immune to discipline for any misdeed let alone for
corruption.
He added that though there had been cases of removal of
some judges for acts unbecoming of judicial officers, in a
comparison between the widely reported cases of
corruption in the judiciary vis-à-vis the records of judicial
officers who have actually been punished, it would appear
as if Nigerian judges enjoy total immunity from prosecution
for corruption and allied offences.
“Unfortunately, the trust reposed in the Nigerian judiciary is
often betrayed on the altar of corruption or other conducts
incompatible with the exalted office of a judge. Though there
have been cases of removal of some judges for acts
unbecoming of judicial officers, often times upon the
recommendation of the NJC in line with the provisions of the
1999 Constitution which empowers the president to remove
a judicial officer from office on the recommendation of NJC.
“Nevertheless, in reality, in comparison between the widely
reported cases of corruption in the judiciary vis-à-vis the
records of judicial officers who have actually been punished
therefore, it would appear as if Nigerian judges enjoy total
immunity from prosecution for corruption (and allied
offences), whereas judges are not immune from discipline
for any misdeed let alone for corruption.
“As we may be aware, this administration promised
Nigerians that it will promptly address the challenges facing
our nation in the three areas of: (a) corruption, (b) economy
and (c) security. Let no one be in doubt, the legitimate
expectation of Nigerians in this regard shall be met. In this
regard therefore, I am reiterating that the fight against
corruption shall be total and will not exclude judicial officers
who are found wanting.
“After all, it is beyond doubt that a corrupt judge cannot
meaningfully contribute to the fight against corruption.
“Furthermore, considering the pivotal role that they play in
the administration of justice, it is important to ensure that
Nigerian judges, like the proverbial Caesar’s wife are beyond
reproach or even suspicion.
“Gone are the days when corrupt judges escaped from
justice in Nigeria! We shall continuously remind our judges
about the judicial oath to which they subscribed upon their
appointment.
“Therefore, in line with the cardinal agenda of President
Buhari’s administration, the office of the AGF shall ensure
that every appearance of corruption in the judiciary is dealt
with among other measures through criminal prosecution
and forfeiture to the state of illegally acquired assets.
“Acts of judicial impunity will also not be condoned, so that
our judges can be judicially accountable at all times in a
corruption-free judiciary which is both independent and
impartial,” Malami said.
Speaking at the event, SERAP’s Executive Director
Adetokunbo Mumuni said he welcomed Malami’s
commitment to the fight against corruption.
He said: “Corrupt judges are more dangerous to the society
than corrupt politicians because a corrupt judiciary denies
both victims of corruption and those accused of corruption
access to an independent, impartial and fair adjudication
process.”
Mumuni pledged to work with the AGF to ensure the full
implementation of the "recommendations contained in our
report".
Similarly, President Muhammadu Buhari assured the
Nigerian community in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) that
his administration’s war against corruption would be
pursued vigorously.
A statement by his media aide, Mr. Garba Shehu, said
Buhari made the promise during an interactive session with
Nigerians in the Gulf country yesterday.
The president said more persons who had abused the public
trust would be exposed and brought to justice soon, adding
that his government was committed to re-establishing
former standards of accountability and probity in the
management of public funds which were jettisoned under
past administrations.
The president appealed for more patience and
understanding from Nigerians, as his administration takes
steps to safeguard the economy from the shock of falling oil
prices.
“In the face of our new economic reality of dwindling oil
prices, there are a number of things we can really do
without to preserve our economy.
“We must develop the capacity to feed ourselves and we
should be spending our resources on real development
projects, not luxuries,” he said. www.thisdaylive.com/articles/corrupt-judges-will-go-to-jail-fg-warns/230813/

Sure thing

Easy oh

yas!

Na so naaaw...

This kind president eeh, nawaoh? When corruption is peculiar U. N o n. S e n. S e

aneg jail them all after the people the judicial system is anoda agency that is ruining this country, always granting bail to all major criminal

Jail the constitution sef. Nothing do you.
Hahahaha

War against corruption , I like.........witch hunting I hate. Jake every one, even if Zarah is inclusive , get a room in kirikiri.

Threatening Judges with jail and influencing their redoployment to specific courts so they can handle certain cases is how Buhari is intending to govern

This will achieve nothing than destroy democracy and separation of power


We are sliding into full blown dictatorship

Corrupt Judiciary and a determined executive would be like catching fishes and keeping they by the river bank.

krendo:
Threatening Judges with jail and influencing their redoployment to specific courts so they can handle certain cases is how Buhari is intending to govern

This will achieve nothing than destroy democracy and separation of power


We are sliding into full blown dictatorship

Why You paranoid?

Are you a corrupt judge??

Just do it!


"PMB Nike"!!!

When will you jail the constitution sir?

FREEDOM OF SPEECH DEY I NO GO DULL YOU BUT FREEDOM AFTER SPEECH I CANT ASSURE YOU

BABA TO NNAMDI KANU AND OLISAH METU.

Going by these,Corruption will soon be a thing of the past.
Ride on PMB

Shay na buhari talk am abi na AGF?,which kind reportage be this?.
Okay,small time we go start to jail ppl that lay false reports.

krendo:
Threatening Judges with jail and influencing their redoployment to specific courts so they can handle certain cases is how Buhari is intending to govern

This will achieve nothing than destroy democracy and separation of power


We are sliding into full blown dictatorship

what is did one saying?