The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, has sent an open letter to Justice Mahmud Mohammed, Chief Justice of Nigeria, in his capacity as the Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC) seeking explanations on what “he and the NJC knew or had reason to know regarding the report to them on 1st February, 2016 by Justice John Inyang Okoro, Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on the alleged visit by Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transportation, to the official residence of Justice Okoro to allegedly discuss election appeals in respect of Rivers State, Akwa Ibom State and Abia State.”

The letter dated October 21, 2016 and signed by SERAP executive director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, states that, “We consider these allegations as constituting a serious threat to the independence, impartiality and accountability of the judiciary, and should in the ordinary course of duties, have prompted action from your Lordship and the NJC to wit: undertaking prompt, thorough and transparent investigations, and where there is prima-facie evidence of political interference in the judicial system, to report the matter to the appropriate anticorruption commissions and agencies for further investigation and possible prosecution.”

The letter reads in part: “SERAP strongly believes that the NJC has a responsibility to support judges in dealing with alleged corrupt inducements that are offered or the threats they receive, such as the allegations in this case.”
“In this respect, SERAP wishes to pose the following questions to your Lordship and the NJC:

First, is it correct to suggest that Justice Okoro reported to you and the NJC on 1st February, 2016 his alleged meeting at his official residence with Mr. Rotimi Amaechi? Was Justice Okoro’s report documented by your Lordship and the NJC? If so, Nigerians would like to hear from your Lordship and the NJC whether Justice Okoro’s report was ever discussed, and what action, if any, was taken by your Lordship and the NJC to respond to the allegations raised in his report?”

“Second, is it fair to suggest that your Lordship and the NJC knew, or had reason to know, that the alleged visit by Mr. Amaechi to Justice Okoro’s official residence would constitute a case of political interference in the judicial system and a corruption offence under Nigerian laws and the UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a state party?”

“Third, after the alleged visit was brought to the attention of your Lordship and the NJC, did your Lordship and the NJC take any step to promptly and thoroughly investigate the matter further? Fourth, would your Lordship and the NJC agree that the alleged visit to Justice Okoro’s official residence to discuss election Appeals has seriously undermined the public trust and confidence in the judiciary, and the image of the judiciary as the last hope of the common man?”

“Fifth, is it correct to suggest that it is part of the inherent and implicit constitutional duties of the NJC to ensure that the judiciary as a whole does not lay itself open to the risk of political interference, manipulation and coercion to act in a certain way? Is it also correct to suggest that such duties require the NJC to promptly and thoroughly investigate allegations of political interference in the judicial system, that is, when those in political power allegedly use their influence to force or induce judges to act and rule according to their interests and not in accordance with the application of the law?”

“Sixth, would your Lordship and the NJC accept that the alleged visit by Mr. Amaechi to the official residence of Justice Okoro to allegedly discuss election Appeals was motivated, facilitated and encouraged by the apparent failure by the NJC to ensure, as part of its inherent and implicit constitutional duties:
(1) that system was in place to ensure prompt and thorough investigation of allegations of political interference in the judicial system and where there is prima facie evidence, to refer such allegations to appropriate anticorruption commissions and agencies for further investigation and possible prosecution, in strict accordance with the standards of national laws and international law including the UN Convention against Corruption; (2) that any such system was operating in a continuous and effective manner?”

Seventh, would your Lordship and the NJC proceed to establish a system to ensure prompt and thorough investigation of allegations of political interference in the judicial system, and then ensure that through such system the alleged visit of Mr Amaechi to Justice Okoro’s official residence is promptly and thoroughly investigated by the NJC, and where there is prima facie evidence of political interference, that the matter is promptly referred to appropriate anticorruption commissions and agencies for further investigation and possible prosecution?”
“Nigerians are eagerly awaiting clarifications from your Lordship and the NJC on the issues raised above.”

“According to reports, Justice Okoro in his recent letter to your Lordship stated that he reported to you the alleged visit by Mr Amaechi to his official residence to allegedly discuss how to win election Appeals in respect of Rivers State, Akwa Ibom State and Abia State. Justice Okoro also said that he told your Lordship about the visit of Mr. Umana Umana to his residence to allegedly make the same request of assistance to win the appeal at the Supreme Court.”

http://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/more-news/213448-group-asks-nigerias-chief-justice-clarify-judges-allegations-amaechi.html

I just dey laugh this learned clowns. Suddenly a Judge remembers Ameachi tried to influence his pathetic rullings in the tribunals when the spot light is focusing on him.

Jusge roping cheif Jusicre and NJC together.

The chief justice needs to explain why Ameachi is not in Jial, since a Judge allegedly reported him before now ..

I am ao wondering if Ameachi approached him without kobo, as i didn't read where any money transaction was mentioned.


Learned clowns roping themselves like illiterate Mama Peace whose $15 miion has several owners

Even the CJN is culpable..


His Lordship wont respond!!

progress69:
I just dey laugh this learned clowns. Suddenly a Judge remembers Ameachi tried to influence his pathetic rullings in the tribunals when the spot light is focusing on him.

Jusge roping cheif Jusicre and NJC together.

The chief justice needs to explain why Ameachi is not in Jial, since a Judge allegedly reported him before now ..

I am ao wondering if Ameachi approached him without kobo, as i didn't read where any money transaction was mentioned.


Learned clowns roping themselves like illiterate Mama Peace whose $15 miion has several owners

What if it is true? Do you know if he has video evidence of his claims against Amaechi and others? As a senior judge, he knows the implications of making such allegations, and as such, could not be speaking without evidence. Just keep your fingers crossed. You never can tell.

yea it's high tym someone exposes what is actually happening behind d scenes

Abbeyme:
Even the CJN is culpable..


His Lordship wont respond!!

so the cjn should report to the executive parastatals controlled by the same set of individuals?

I am of the opinion that the efcc and icpc plus the CCB should be taken away from the presidency just like the Hawks of South Africa... currently probing their own President and successfully prosecuted him...

thank you buhari for cleansing our judiciary,we will forever remain grateful to you.....keep arresting corruption











IF YOU ARE NOT PART OF THE SOLUTION THEN YOU'RE THE PROBLEM

OK

Ediots who will clean d executive who is investigating them?useles govt govt of vendetta as for ametif his a saint in d eyes of zombies

progress69:
I just dey laugh this learned clowns. Suddenly a Judge remembers Ameachi tried to influence his pathetic rullings in the tribunals when the spot light is focusing on him.

Jusge roping cheif Jusicre and NJC together.

The chief justice needs to explain why Ameachi is not in Jial, since a Judge allegedly reported him before now ..

I am ao wondering if Ameachi approached him without kobo, as i didn't read where any money transaction was mentioned.


Learned clowns roping themselves like illiterate Mama Peace whose $15 miion has several owners

zombie oh zombie!

Corruption supporter

awon weyrey, so poor in their lying skills, although i'm not doubting the visit, but dis judges dem fit lie, i sure sey the judge talk am jokingly for their burukutu joint inside supreme court premises, he com talk sey he report, we all know everything there must be documented, thats why them dey call them superior court of records. crazy thieves.
i sure some people go still come here shout and rant giving us reasons why it is not right the day this moves to the executive.
if you cannot steal with due process, to hell with it when you are caught.
waiting for that supersaver buratai, dambazua, babachir and kyari.
it will not be well with all of you that dont want our growth as a nation, irrespective of your age, class, tribe, religion or whatever, you and your promoters shall perish ni, you wont just die, but miserably.

Can't this serap or serup just organise youths round the country to stage a peaceful revolution against all our leaders...

Nonsense

edebemba:

What if it is true? Do you know if he has video evidence of his claims against Amaechi and others? As a senior judge, he knows the implications of making such allegations, and as such, could not be speaking without evidence. Just keep your fingers crossed. You never can tell.

They will go to jail for 2 solid years, that is what the Constitution says. If Ameachi was trully reported and nothing was done about it.