Democracy Day: NBA Scores FG Low On Rule Of Law
BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA –The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), on Monday castigated the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration over its disdain for the observance of the Rule of Law.
The NBA particularly faulted what it described as the continued detention of former National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki and leader of Shi’ite Movement in Nigeria, Ibrahim El-Zakyzaky in spite of court orders granting them bail.
National President of the NBA, Malam Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud SAN, who stated the position of the Bar at a press briefing in Abuja to mark this year’s Democracy Day, stressed that such disobedience of court orders is uncalled for and does not show compliance to rule of law.
According to Mahmoud; “The NBA is appalled at the continued detention of certain individuals in blatant disobedient to court orders. Among these individuals are Sheikh Ibrahim El Zakyzaky and his wife, and also Col. Sambo Dasuki.
“While we recognize the seriousness of the charges in which the individuals were held, we nevertheless viewed their continued detention as unjustified and contrary to the express court orders. We call on the government to without further delays respect theses orders”.
The NBA also called for the termination of investigations against judges that were accused of corruption but have not been charged before the court in the past eight months.
Mamoud further said: “In the wake of the arrest and detention of certain judicial officers by the DSS, the NBA had taken the view that the judges affected should recluse themselves from judicial functions until the investigation and outcomes of those investigations were determined, we note 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”.
Commenting on the agitation of succession by some groups in the country, the NBA called for a better way of showing grievances aside the threat to break up and therefore reaffirms its commitment to the unity and building of a strong Federal system thus urged all groups to continue to agitate for peaceful existence among citizens of the country.
On security, the NBA commended the PMB-led administration especially in the fight against Boko Haram in the North-east and the recent release of 82 Chibok girls.
Commenting on anti-corruption, the NBA commended the efforts of anti-corruption agency adding that new anti-corruption strategy has been developed and appealed to stakeholders to assist the Federal Government towards the success of the policy.
“We commend whistle blower policy. The government should fund the anti-corruption agencies. The lingering issue of EFCC leadership 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.”
