Abia State judicial crisis
SIR: We have followed with grave concern, the crisis in Abia State judiciary. After reading The Justice Observatory Journal published by Access to Justice, a justice-ethics organisation based in Lagos, we wish to lend our voice to the need for the National Judicial Council (NJC), to step in and prevent this embarrassing situation.
We do believe that in the light of the evidence amassed by the Abia State Assembly, the most appropriate thing for the Chief Judge to do was to resign from the exalted office he occupies at present. Where in the course of events, he fails and/or neglects to do so, it would be best then for the NJC to discharge Justice Amah from that office in order to protect judicial integrity and accountability, in keeping with the NJC's constitutional responsibility.
There is a further concern generated from the suspension of the members of the Court Registrars Association of Nigeria (CRAN). It is quite worrying because the said suspended officials now have both their careers and source of livelihood hanging in the balance. Their situation is certainly worsened by the economic situation in the country right now. It is certainly not a good precedent for persons who might be interested in advancing and fighting the course of justice, fair play and good conscience in the future.
We are in a profession wherein justice is done when it is done quickly and swiftly. We are looking forward to urgent and positive reactions in this regard.
Joachim Ohia,
Lagos
