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NJC Decries DSS Raid, Says It Is A Threat To Democracy

NJC has described the raid by the DSS on the residences of seven judges last weekend as a threat to democracy. It also said it is a threat to the independence of the judiciary and separation of powers.

It said this in a statement issued and signed by Director of Information, Mr. Soki Oye after its meeting in Abuja yesterday. It described the arrest as a clear attempt by the DSS to humiliate, intimidate, denigrate and cow the Judiciary.

The council noted it has never received any petition against the two Supreme Court Justices, Sylvester Ngwuta and Inyang Okoro. This is contrary to the claim by the DSS that it notifies the NJC.

NJC Clears Air on Justice Tsamiya

The council also cleared the air on the case of Justice Muhammed Tsamiya of the Court of Appeal. The Judge was found culpable of professional misconduct at its meeting of September 29. This follows the petition written by one Mr Nnamdi Iro Oji that he demanded the sum of N200m bribe. He was consequently recommended to the President for compulsory retirement.

“It is to be stressed that from the evidence before the Council, Hon. Justice Ladan Tsamiya did not receive N200m bribe. The Petitioner adduced evidence to support his allegation that Hon. Justice Tsamiya only demanded for the money.

“In the exercise of its power, Council had suspended Justice Tsamiya from office, pending when the President will act on the recommendation. And Mr. President has approved the recommendation of the Council and compulsorily retired His Lordship from office yesterday, the 12th day of October, 2016”, the council stated.

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