Bishop of the Diocese of New Bussa, Niger State, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), The Right Reverend Israel Afolabi Amoo, has decried what he described as the unimpressive performance of certain persons in the judiciary.
He stated this in his charge at the third session of the third synod of the Diocese of New Bussa, at All Saints Cathedral, New Bussa, which had as its theme: Remove Not The Ancient Landmark.
He said: “The revelation of recent of what is happening in the judiciary is of great concern. The judiciary as known is the last hope of the common man. We decry the scandalous performance of a lot of our magistrates, higher court and low court judges, who have had to get their palms oiled in order to give judgment in favour of known criminals.”
He lamented the spate of terrorism, herdsmen rampage, and general insecurity, and called on government at all levels to rise up to their responsibilities of ensuring the welfare of all citizens.
“Terrorism, as we know it today has assumed proportions hitherto unknown in our ethnic and religious geography. Killing and beheading of political and cult rivals has now become the order of the day. Abduction and kidnapping is becoming a lucrative enterprise. Everyone has become easy targets of these criminals. Boko Haram is not the only threat to our corporate peace. The herdsmen have become another Boko Haram, indicating more trouble in the offing.
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“When the present political dispensation came to power, almost three years ago, reports of the plundering of both state and national treasuries were rife. Salaries of workers were not paid. Contractors were being owed outrageous sums of money for contracts, both executed and not executed. And yet there were handful of privileged individuals who unscrupulously carted away huge sums of public wealth, whose worth beats human imagination.
“If it is not exaggerated schism, how else could you explain the fact that in the midst of universal abject poverty few people, without contributing anything positive to the commonwealth could appropriate such monumental riches to themselves and still go to bed at night and rest in peace?
“It is our considered opinion that this political class has a lot of repenting to do. We know however that we have a few politicians whose hand can be said to be relatively clean.”
Expressing his rejection of cattle colonies, in line with the stand of the bishops of the Anglican Communion, he stated that “We are, however, in support of ranches, which is acceptable to the majority of the citizens. Nobody’s land will not be released without adequate compensation. Doing otherwise will be injustice.”
He urged all eligible voters to take advantage of the ongoing registration and get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), stating that “Our prayers are important but remember that faith without work is dead. Your vote is your power and your vote is what will count.”
The synod, which began on May 25, will be rounded off with a thanksgiving service today.