The House of Representatives, on Wednesday, tasked the Nigeria Police and other security agencies to ensure the immediate release of Justice Chioma Nwosu of Court of Appeal, Benin Judicial Division of Edo State.
The resolution was passed following the adoption of a motion of ‘Matter of urgent public importance’ sponsored by Honourable Luke Onofiok who frowned at the incessant attack on judicial officers and their families.
Worried by the development, the House urged Nigeria Police to apprehend and prosecute the kidnappers as well as increase protection and security around all the judicial officers and their families across the country.
In his lead debate, Honourable Onofiok informed the House that Honourable Justice Chioma Nwosu of the Court of Appeal, Benin Judicial Division, was kidnapped in brutal circumstances during which his Police orderly was shot dead and taken to unknown location till date.
Piqued by the recurring cases of the kidnap of judicial officers across the country, Honourable Onofiok harped on the need to beef up the security of judicial officers who are charged with the fundamental responsibility of interpreting laws, adjudicating and resolving disputes, conflicts and controversies between persons (natural and artificial).
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According to him, “the House further notes that the responsibility involves presiding over serious criminal matters and politically charged cases; convicting and passing sentence on hard criminals including drug dealers, kidnappers and murderers.
“The House is aware the exercise of this responsibility by judicial officers helps to maintain and preserve stability, peace and equipoise in the polity and protect and safeguard the rights of citizens.
“The House is conscious of the risks and dangers associated with performance of judicial responsibility on the lives of judicial officers and their families and the necessity for judicial officers to be provided a safe, comfortable and conducive environment to operate.
“The House is disturbed that judicial officers are becoming preys in the hands of criminals and the security of their lives and that of their family is under serious threat.
“The House is concerned that some weeks ago, Honourable Justice Abdul Dogo of Federal High Court, Akure Division was kidnapped on his way to discharge his official functions and was later released after spending some days in kidnappers’ den.
“The House is worried that just few days after the release of Honourable Justice Abdul Dogo, Honourable Justice Chioma Nwosu of the Court of Appeal, Benin Judicial Division, was kidnapped in brutal circumstances where His Lordship’s orderly was shot dead and the whereabouts of Honourable Justice Nwosu is not known until now.”
The motion was unanimously adopted when it was put into voice vote by the Deputy Speaker, Hon Idris Wase who presided over the plenary.
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