JUSUN faults planned trial of CJN before CCT

The Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has faulted the
decision by the Executive to insist on trying the Chief Justice of
Nigeria (CJN) before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on
allegation of non-asset disclosure

JUSUN urged the Executive to direct its complaints against the
CJN to the National Judicial Council (NJC) as provided by the
Constitution rather than deliberately working to discredit the
Judiciary.

JUSUN’s President, Comrade Marwan Adamu, noted in a statement
that the way the issue was being politicised, revealed that there
was more to the case.

He warned against a repeat of the last mass arrest of judges by
security agents, who at the end of the day, could not prove their
allegations against the effected judges.

Marwan said: “Even if such offence is committed, that is not the
process. The position is that since there is an Appeal Court
judgement that said any serving judicial officer, who erred can
only be prosecuted after the NJC has investigated and found him or
her guilty, those behind this case should go to NJC.

“Most people are raising suspicion because of the timing of the
general elections and also, the speed at which the petitioners
filled the petition and the urgency with which the matter is being
pursued.

“This has also shown that something is fishy. Also, we may wish
to ask, when did the petitioner realised the anomalies.

“The CJN was appointed based on merit and not because he is from
the South or anywhere in the country. So, any regional and
political sentiment will only put the CJN on a bad light.

“The Judiciary, as an institution, has the capacity to handle
the matter. Even though we recognise their concern, the rule of law
must be observed.

“JUSUN is also watching and monitoring the development with keen
interest and has put her members on red alert, not only on this
matter, but on any other issue that has to do with the independence
of the Judiciary.

“We are not in anyway shielding anybody, but the position of the
law must be followed.

“We should also avoid a repeat of the scenario that played out
recently where some of our judicial officers were embarrassed,
arrested and prosecuted but in the end, they were found not
guilty.”