NBA Demands Timpire Sylva To Retract His Statement Against Judge And Tender Apology

Says Timpire Sylva’s Remark Against Federal High Court Judge
Unbecoming of a Minister

The Nigerian Bar Association has condemned the statement by
Timpire Sylva indicating the Federal High Court Judge who gave a
judgment barring APC from Fielding Candidate for the gubernatorial
elections coming up at Bayelsa.

In a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Kunle
Edun, NBA says such defamatory remarks are unbecoming of a minister
of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. It demands the ex-governor to
withdraw the statement the offensive statement and apologize to the
judge

The NBA urges the judiciary and the Attorney General of the
Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN to take necessary actions to
protect the sanctity of courts by ensuring punishment for
contempt.

Read the full statement below:

NBA CONDEMNS STATEMENT MADE BY TIMIPRE SYLVA INDICTING
FEDERAL HIGH COURT JUDGE .

The attention of the NBA has been drawn to a statement made by
the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Mr. Timipre Sylva
while featuring as a guest on a programme on Channels Television
yesterday, the 14th day of November 2019.

While commenting on the judgment of the Federal High Court
sitting at Yenegoa wherein the Court delivered a judgment in the
case filed by Senator Heineken Lokpobri and cancelled the Bayelsa
State APC Primaries, Mr. Timipre Sylva made some indictive and
defamatory remarks about the person of the Honourable Judge of the
Federal High Court who presided over the case. Mr. Sylva was
unsparing in his insult on the learned trial Judge.

The Nigerian Bar Association considers the statement made by Mr.
Timipre Sylva as most unfortunate, uncalled for and unbecoming of a
Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. As a one time State
governor, Mr. Sylva is expected to appreciate the importance of the
judiciary as an independent arm of government and the need to
accord respect and dignity to the courts.

The general norm is for parties to appeal or challenge an order
of court in the proper forum if a party is dissatisfied with same.
Resorting to media campaign of calumny against a court of law is
contemptuous and not a hallmark of civility.

The NBA demands that Mr. Timipre Sylva withdraws the offensive
statement and apologise to the learned trial Judge and the nation’s
judiciary, who he has collectively and unjustifiably attacked.

The NBA urges the judiciary to do the needful to protect its
sanctity, integrity and honour by dealing decisively with cases of
open contempt, without delay.

The NBA also urges the Attorney General of the Federation,
Abubakar Malami,SAN , who is the Chief Law Officer of the
Federation not to be seen to encourage disrespect to the courts, by
always do the needful in protecting the sanctity and respect for
the decisions of courts and judicial officers.

Nigerians (particularly political actors) must recognise that
courts are necessary and vital instruments for entrenching social
equilibrium and justice in a society. NBA therefore advises members
of the various political parties to be well guided in their
utterances concerning matters pending before or decided by courts.
Politicians must not drag the courts and judicial officers into
their dirty arena of bickering, name-calling and mudslinging.

As a Bar, we shall resist any attempt by the political class to
subject judges and judicial institutions to public ridicule and
opprobrium. We do this in recognition of the fact that the
protection of the independence and respect for the judiciary is
necessary for a peaceful, orderly and united Nigeria.

Kunle Edun
National Publicity Secretary, NBA.