SAN FRANCISCO, January 19, (THEWILL) – Nigeria’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General, Abubakar Malami, has revealed that judges that have corruptly enriched themselves would be prosecuted, jailed and would forfeit any asset they acquired with such stolen funds to the state.
Malami made this known on Tuesday, In Lagos, in his speech as the special guest at the launch of a report by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) titled, “Go home and sin no more: Corrupt judges escaping from justice in Nigeria.”
“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!” he said.
“I can assure you today that in line with the cardinal agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, the office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation shall ensure that every appearance of corruption in the judiciary is dealt among other measures through criminal prosecution and forfeiture to the State of illegally acquired assets.”
Malami, represented by his Senior Special Assistant, Abiodun Aikomo, advised judges to be beyond reproach adding that the Buhari administration would not tolerate judicial impunity and would do everything within the law to ensure judicial accountability.
“The judiciary’s one and only mandate should be to deliver justice without fear or favour, affection or ill-will. A corruption-free judiciary is both independent and impartial.
“The world over, the rule of law, and separation of powers which are inseparable components of a democratic government, presupposes the existence of an independent and impartial judiciary.
“In reality, on 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 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,” he said.
SERAP Executive Director, Adetokunbo Mumuni, who welcomed Mr. Malami’s commitment, 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.
Story by David Oputah
