DSS, NPF vs JUDICIARY: Any hope for the future?

Such was the joy, renewed hope and optimisms that perhaps this time we may get it right as a democratic state. This was the feeling that engulfed every corner of the Nigerian state following a return to democratic governance in 1999. Little under a year before 1999, Most people had trooped out in mammoth crowd in celebration of the demise of the then Military head of state, General Sanni Abacha. The reasons for the celebration was not far fetched. People joyed over the death of an autocratic leader with little or zero tolerance for opposition. So in 1999 a return to democratic practice in governance as mostly welcomed by all and sundry.

However, the years following 1999 have not been too rosy as expected. It is going to be a great understatement to say Nigerians have been thus far disappointed with the trajectory of events in our democracy. One of the major principles of a democracy is the tenet of the 'rule of law, freedom of speech and expression.... In Nigeria, we have had successive governments who have in one for or the other abused its citizenry. The evident presence of structural violence, social injustice has always meant that We were always disgruntled and our court rooms had more than enough cases to handle on the varying issues. However, one thing was constant, you knew you could always go to court to demand justice even in cases against the state. If or not you will get justice depended on certain factors. Your money, your lawyer and the nature of judge in charge of the case. At least you still had slim hope of getting justice.

2016 has witnessed a few dramatic events in either the procedure or verdicts of the legal game as played in Nigeria. This article is not concerned with given details of these dramas, rather the write up is primarily concerned with the biggest drama which happens to be the freshest. The 'abduction' or 'arrest' (depending which source you are reading from) of some judges by a joint effort of operatives of DSS and the NPF.  The presidency voiced out yesterday to counter claims that a war against the judiciary is been orchestrated by the Buhari led executives over what many term as 'unfavorable verdicts of the judges towards the executive'.

As expected, there is no other news in the media right now, so in a bid to avoid any form of plagiarism on the issue, varying media outlets saddled themselves with the responsibility of getting the says of different practitioners in the legal terrain. Consequentially, tongues have been wagging and shots are been fired.

Detention of judges, lawyers and all that would have been a good thing if due process was followed. I personally feel the judicial arm of government needs sanitation but not in the commando and rule of law abusing tactics employed by whomsoever we choose to point accusing fingers to. Is the judicial arm of government corrupt? yes. Is the nature of abduction or arrest proper in a democracy? no... Men of uniform storming the house of a justice 2 a.m in the morning acting under what they described as directives is no way to arrest somebody. No body matched on any politicians house so far mentioned in the Dasuki gate mess at that time of the day to present a warrant of arrest even when the issue was one of national security and treason. However it is okay to attack the house of a judge or judges in a fashion that can only be likened to the historical episode of how the U.S marines tamed Osama bin Laden.

I agree that, the security operatives must do their work, however must it be done in ways that will always bring suspicion and cast more doubts on the workability of the rule of law in Nigeria?. This episode is still fresh so expect more dramas to unfold.

However, as youths, we should be against any form of intimidation directed towards the judiciary... earlier in the year, the EFCC chairman had claimed the body will start going after judged who defend suspects of corrupt practices. The threat has been modified to go after judges they now perceive as threat to getting whatever outcome envisaged by them. The implication is that if we all do not stand in one voice to condemn this non-democratic  act then we may have no future as a country if the arm that is meant to give us justice becomes a stooge of the alpha executive arm. I am not saying corrupt persons should not be allowed to face trial and so on, all am saying is we must collectively stand in calling for due process as that is the first step in corruption. Abusing due process.

Ayodelele Kelvin

Pax