The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA)
on Monday chided the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration over the continued detention of a former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Mohammed Dasuki (rtd) and the leader of Shi’ite Islamic Movement, Sheik Ibrahim El-Zakyzaky, despite orders of the court admitting them to bail.
The national president of the Bar, Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud (SAN), who stated this in Abuja, while addressing a press conference to mark this year’s Democracy Day added that such disobedience to court orders is uncalled for and does not show compliance to the Rule of Law.
“The NBA is appalled at the continued detention of certain individuals in blatant disobedient to court orders. Among these individuals are Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his wife, and also Col. Sambo Mohammed Dasuki.
“While we recognise the seriousness of the charges in which individuals were held, we nevertheless viewed their continued detention as unjustified and contrary to the express court orders,” the NBA said and called on the Federal Government to respect the court orders without delay.
In the same vein, the association further called for the termination of investigations against Judges who were accused of corruption but have not been charged before the court since the past eight months.
In his words: “In the wake of the arrest and detention of certain judicial officers by the Department of State Services (DSS), the NBA had taken the view that the Judges affected should recluse themselves from judicial functions until the investigations and outcomes of those investigations were determined, we noted that nearly eight months after those investigations were launched, some of the Judges have not been prosecuted or charged before any court of law.
“This situation is completely unsatisfactory and unacceptable. The NBA calls on the government to terminate the investigation against those Judges to enable them resume their work as judicial officers,” the NBA boss stated and also condemned, in strong terms the move for coup”.
While commending the Nigerian Military for its role in restoring security in the country especially in the North East Region of the country and indeed many other areas of conflict, the NBA urged the military to remain focused on its constitutional duties of protecting the sovereignty of country and its territorial integrity.
“In recent days, there have been suggestion in the media of possible instigation from segment of political class for military intervention in the governance of the country, this follows statement credited to the Chief of Army Staff of unorthodox approaches by politicians to the Nigerian Military. The NBA wishes to express its concerns and condemned in very strong terms any such move from whatever quarters. Nigeria democracy and democratic institutions must be be imperiled by any undemocratic change of government.
On the issue of agitation for succession by some groups in the country, the NBA called for a better way of showing grievances aside the threat to break up adding that, “NBA affirms commitment to unity and building a strong federal system. We urged all groups to continue to agitate peaceful existence among citizens of the country”.
On the issue of security, the NBA commended the Federal Government especially in the fight against Boko Haram in the North East and the recent release of 82 Chibok girls, just as the association urged the President Muhammadu Buhari led administration to work hard to secure the rest of the girls held captive by the insurgents.
He said the NBA is currently working with other civil society groups to develop a transitional justice policy framework that will be proposed to the government for adoption.
The objective, according to the NBA president is to assist the process of reconciliation and the rebuilding of justice sector institutions in conflict areas with a view to restoring last peace in those areas within the context of the rule of law.
Speaking on the anti corruption crusade of the government, the NBA noted that , “efforts of anti corruption agency is commendable. New anti corruption strategy has been developed. Stakeholders should help the federal government in achieving the success of the policy. We commend whistle blower policy. The government should fund the anti corruption agencies.
“The lingering issue of the leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should be tackled once and for all. The investigative agency should be more careful and thorough in carrying out its investigation. Media investigation should not be encouraged”, Mahmoud stated.
The NBA, he said congratulated the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen on his confirmation as the substantive CJN and further pledged its support towards the policies of the National Judicial Council (NJC) and disclosed that the NBA and body of Benchers are harmonising reports on the development of the judiciary.