CJN to Senate: Alert us if you see anything wrong with judiciary

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, has asked the Senate to call the judiciary’s attention if it sees anything going wrong with the third arm of government.

He spoke in Abuja Monday while receiving the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, on an oversight visit.

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He said: “Legislative arm of government has not failed us. There is nothing that we want that has not been granted by the lawmakers. 

“If you see that something is going wrong with the judiciary, call our attention to it. There is no interference from legislature and executive on our activities.”

The CJN commended the federal government for increasing the judiciary’s budget by N10bn in the 2022 budget. 

The Acting Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Hajo Sarki Bello, informed the lawmakers that 75 percent budget performance had been recorded in terms of releases and 60 percent in expenditure.

The chairman of the committee, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, said the Senate would debate the invasion of the residence of a Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Mary Odili, when it resumes plenary this month. 

Security operatives had on Friday night invaded the Abuja residence of the justice, an action seen as affront on the judiciary. 

The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami had denied any involvement and announced an immediate investigation into the siege on Odili’s residence. 

Bamidele described the invasion as embarrassing, saying the Senatewould treat it as a matter of urgent national importance during plenary session.

He said: “We cannot pretend not to be unaware of the embarrassing situation on invasion of residence of Justice Mary Odili on Friday night by security agents. 

“Without joining issues with anyone, we take the matter seriously. By the time we’re back to plenary session, we’ll discuss the matter as urgent national importance.”