The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has called on security agencies to bring to book those responsible for the attack on Justice Mary Odili’s home as well as other judicial officers who have suffered similar attacks in accordance with the law.
The Commission, in a statement by its Executive Secretary, Tony Ojukwu also challenged security agencies to ensure that the rights and security of Nigerians and especially judicial officers performing their official duties are protected.
Ojukwu said the NHRC is worried about the recent harassment of judicial officers in the legitimate and constitutional exercise of their functions.
“This situation is further accentuated by the increasing lack of safety for Nigerians while pursuing their legitimate duties or businesses due to acts of hoodlums, criminal-minded elements, banditry, kidnapping, insurgency and others thereby undermining human security to abysmal levels”.
He, therefore, appealed to all political actors and their supporters to, respect the human rights of citizens to express fair comments on the judgements of courts without personalizing any issues arising therefrom or infringing on the rights of others.
Ojukwu called on Nigerians to observe and respect the human rights of judicial officers in the exercise of their lawful duties and to also respect the right of other Nigerians who hold divergent political or legal opinions as the basis for a free, just and democratic society.
The NHRC boss said judicial independence will be undermined when judges are no longer able to exercise their functions without fear of reprisals, kidnappings, reprimand or attack on their persons, immediate family and property.
According to Ojukwu, “It is worse where attacks on judicial officials result from the performance of official duties following the delivery of judgements in election-related cases. Such are highly condemnable and portend great danger for Nigeria’s democracy and the enjoyment of human rights.
“The rule of law and the realization of human rights can only be attained when judges and our courts are able to dispense justice without any inclination to fear, bias and intimidation”, he added in the statement.
He said the Commission acknowledges the right of every Nigerian to fair comment on judgements of courts, but the enjoyment of the rights should be done in such a way that it will not encourage violent acts, invade privacy and destruction of private properties.
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