PRESS STATEMENT
14th May, 2008
NJC AND AKALA: TIME TO END THIS EXECUTIVE RASCALITY
A dangerous game for our democracy is being played out
in Oyo State which if not checked immediately can
become a precedent that could totally derail the rule
of law in Nigeria.
The Acting Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Isaiah
Olakanmi and Justice Iyabo Yerima (daughter of late
Chief A.M.A. Akinloye) apparently with the support of
Oyo State Governor, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala, have
continued to shun the National Judicial Council (NJC)
directives that they both vacate office.
The NJC had ordered their removal based on sundry
allegations of misconduct against them over the years
by their colleagues, State House of Assembly and
others.
Section 292 of the 1999 constitution and the third
schedule part (20) (d) are very clear on how judicial
officers can be removed. And the NJC has acted within
the ambit of the law.
But rather than complying with the NJC decisions,
Alao-Akala has chosen the Adedibu outlawry approach by
keeping the removed officers in their offices.
It is widely known that Adedibu the “father of the
PDP” (apology to Obasanjo) is above the law in Oyo
State as it has been reported that there is no judge
in Oyo State today to handle a suit filed by a
businessman whose business was vandalized by thugs
allegedly working for the Ibadan politician. But must
such rascality extend to the decisions of the NJC?
What is presently taking place in Oyo State is
judicial anarchy as a suspended Acting CJ is assigning
cases and even handling cases when he has been
stripped of his judicial authorities.
We had thought that with Obasanjo's exit and the rule
of law mantra of the Yar'Adua administration there
would be no further room for this kind of insanity.
But we are dead wrong.
Right inside the rule of law Republic, Iyabo Obasanjo
has refused to honour EFCC invitation and appear in
court for several weeks now. Yet she wants to use the“rule of law” to stop the anti-graft agency from
arresting her. Her father (Olusegun Obasanjo) has also
refused to appear before the Power Probe Panel. There
is a gradual descent into a looming anarchy as we are
breeding outlaws in a democratic setting.
The President has a responsibility to use all lawful
means to compel the Oyo State Government to ensure
that the NJC directives are complied with without
delay.
While Afenifere is for true federalism and would at
some point even want the appointment, promotion and
discipline of state judicial officers to be solely a
state affair; but we believe strongly that the law as
is must be respected if we are to build a society
based on the rule of law and not the whims and
caprices of temporary office holders.
This rascality in Oyo state must not be allowed to
last another week!
'Yinka Odumakin
National Publicity Secretary