Magistrates say proper procedures were not followed during crackdown on judges

The National President of Magistrates Association of Nigeria, Mr Sa’idu Safiyanu, says the association is in support of President Muhammad Buhari’s war against corruption. Safiyanu said in Dutse on Thursday that his association condemned corruption in all its ramification, and urged the Federal Government to punish the givers and takers of bribe.

He said that as professionals, they had taken judicial oath to uphold the rule of the law and defend the constitution of the country and not to engage in anything that was not good for the society.

On the crackdown on some judges across the nation by the Department of State Service (DSS), he said proper channels and procedures were not followed during their arrest and the search on their houses. Safiyanu explained that there was a laid down procedure if any judge was found wanting whereby such judge would be reported to the National Judicial Council (NJC) for investigation and prosecution. 

“For instance, it is just similar to the military, they are court martialed if they are found guilty of any offence before they are handed over to conventional court for final judgment. “For our senior colleagues, the right steps were not adhered in their arrest because the NJC is the constituted body that is saddled with powers to recruit, promote and fire any erring judge of supreme court and even hand him over to the appropriate body for further action.” he added