Senate to probe Supreme Court justices’ allegation despite CJN’s resignation

The Senate has unanimously agreed to proceed with an allegation of corruption against the former Chief Justice of the Federation (CJN), Tanko Mohammed despite his resignation.

Meanwhile, Senate has wished Justice Tanko well, following many years of meritorious service to the nation and praying for his good health.

In an unprecedented petition, justices of the apex court had jointly accused the CJN of corruption, maladministration and incompetence.

Senate however mandated its committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to investigate the matter with the aim of resolving the issue.

But, on Sunday the Chief Justice of Nigeria tendered his resignation and hinged it on health grounds.

At the resumption of the plenary session on Tuesday, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele came under orders 41 and 51 recalling how the attention of the Senate was drawn to the media report on the state of affairs in the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

Speaking on the motion, Senator Bamidele told the Senate that most issues raised by the justices of the Supreme Court and other stakeholders within the Judiciary, need to be addressed urgently to prevent an eventual shut down of the Judiciary.

Supporting the motion, Deputy Senate President, Senator Ovie Omo-Agege said that there is no reason for the Judicial arm of government to lack anything financially adding that this should not be allowed to continue.

Also speaking in support of the motion, the Senate minority whip, Senator Chukwuka Utazi said that the senate need to get to the root of the matter in order to find a lasting solution to the issue.

After exhaustive debate, Senate therefore Accordingly resolves to: mandate the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to go ahead with its assignment in the quest to find a lasting solution to the matter by interacting with relevant stakeholders to address the complaints raised in the petition by the Justices of the Supreme Court.

The Senate also mandated the Committee to interface with the relevant stakeholders in the three arms of Government as well as at the Bar and on the Bench and collate aggregate views and positions on the short-term, medium-term and long-term measures needed to decisively address the crisis facing the Judiciary, including the immediate fiscal intervention as well as long term and sustainable budgetary allocations, required for the optimal performance of the Judiciary, in line with global best practices.

YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

Woman’s Corpse, Unconscious Man Found Inside Office In Aba After Four Days

A woman was found dead and another man unconscious in an office located at No 7, Factory Road off Eziukwu Bus Stop, Aba, Abia State at the weekend.

Nurse Holds Doctor Hostage In OAU Teaching Hospital, Resident Doctors Plan Strike

The association of resident doctors (ARD) at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTHC) Ile-Ife has concluded plans to go on strike over what they termed recurrent harassment of doctors at the hospital.

How Workplace Sexual Harassment Forces Many Out Of Their Dream Jobs

Despite several laws prohibiting sexual harassment in Nigeria, many victims are forced to quit their dream jobs while others suffer depression as a result of unsolicited sexual advances from colleagues. FAITH ADEOYE reports.