*The Justices accuse CJN, Muhammad of high-handedness, corruption, lack of care
*You’re to be seen, not heard – CJN insists
By Euclid Myke and Eze Chukwu
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has erupted in a war of attrition following allegations of corrupt practices levelled against the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Tanko Muhammad, by the other 14 Justices of the apex Court accusing the CJN of high-handedness, insensitivity, poor welfare and the deplorable state of the court.
But Justice Muhammed has dismissed the allegations, saying issues at the Suoreme Court should not be made public.
He also denied allegations levelled against him, saying all their fears are being addressed and blamed whatever was remaining on lack of funds and his strict application of the budgetary provisions.
The media was awash since Monday of a leaked memo signed by all the Justices of the Supreme Court, chronicling operational challenges that have almost crippled adjudication of justice at the court, the first of its kind in the 58-year history of the court.
Muhammad was accused of wide-ranging issues, including rationing of light, non-provision of conducieve working environment for Justices appointed since 2020, accommodation problems for Supreme Court Justices, lack of complete set of vehicles for the newly-appointed vehicles and lowering morale due to the denial of their requisite allowances and vacation rights.
He was also accused of non-holding of regular meetings with the Justices as was the case previously.
The aggrieved Justices also raised concerns on their overseas training, accusing the CJN of gallivanting with his “spouse, children and personal staff,” while depriving the rest of the judges of the Supreme Court of such benefit.
“On two occasions when the judges travelled overseas for the training, they said, they were not allowed to go with an assistant as it used to be under previous administrations.
“We demand to know what has become of our training funds, have they been diverted, or is it a plain denial?” the justices queried.
On erratic electricity supply, the justices said they have been confined to work between the “hours of 8 a.m and 4 p.m daily, for lack of diesel,” after they were notified of the development by the Supreme Court’s Chief Registrar, Hajo Bello.
Justices of the apex court who signed the letter include: Olukayode Ariwoola, Musa Dattijo Mohammed, Kudirat Motonmori O. Kekere-Ekun, and John Inyang Okoro
The rest are Chima Centus Nweze, Amina Adamu Augie, Uwani Musa Abba-Aji, Mohammed Lawal, Helen Moronkeji Ogunwumiju, Abdu Aboki, Ibrahim Saulawa, Adamu Jauro, Tijjani Abubakar, and Emmanuel Agim.
Justice Muhammad has however responded to the issues raised in the leaked memo via a statement issued on Tuesday by his spokesperson, Ahuraka Isah.
According to him, “internet services have been restored to Justices’ residences and chambers, just as some allowances have been paid to them.
“The CJN held a meeting with his brother Justices last Thursday and another one is due to hold this week,” the statement read in part.
He allayed the fear of the general public assuring that “there’s no hostility or adverse feelings amongst the Justices of the Supreme Court, as everyone is going about his normal duty.”
FULL TEXT OF THE RESPONSE TO THE ALLEGATIONS BY THE CJN
PRESS STATEMENT 20/6/2022
Re: State Of Affairs In The Supreme Court And Demand By Justices Of The Supreme Court
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammad would wish to confirm receipt of letter written and addressed to him by his brother Justices of the Supreme Court Bench.
Judges in all climes are to be seen and not heard, and that informed why the CJN refrained from joining issues until a letter, said to be personal, is spreading across the length and breadth of the society. This was akin to dancing naked at the market square by us with the ripple effect of the said letter.
The Supreme Court definitely does not exist outside its environment, it is also affected by the economic and socio-political climate prevailing in the country. Besides that, the Apex Court has to a larger extent, been living to its constitutional responsibility.
When a budget is made, it contains two sides, that’s the recurrent and the capital, yet all the two are broken down into items. The Federal Government releases the budget based on the budget components. And it’s an offence to spend the money meant for one item for another.
Take for instance, the Supreme Court budgeted this year to re-roof and rehabilitate its complex built over 30 years ago and that is being done. The work on the extension of the complex is near completion, the esthetic lawns and cleanness of the perimeters are being well kept, and security and water supply are adequately provided for his brother Justices in their offices and residences. During the period of pandemic, a profound and extra-care was maintained to avoid causalities among them as well as the staff generally. It would have amounted to an act of irresponsibility to divert money meant for the above for otherwise.
The accusation so far, in summary is that more or all ought to have been done and not that nothing has been done; which is utopian in the contemporary condition of our country.
Before eight new Justices were appointed in 2020 onto the Apex Court bench, there was no additional budget to provide new chambers with equipped library, legal assistance, residential accommodations and logistics for them. The Apex Court has to make do with the resources at its disposal to meet their needs over time. All the Justices of this Court has at least a legal assistance, except some may opt for more. One of the CJN’s legal assistance (now Justice Aina) was appointed to Abuja FCT High Court last month, while another (Barr Ramatu) died three months back. Generally the Judiciary is looking up to recruitment of more legal assistance and other supporting staff this year.
Besides, two Supreme Court Justices died within the period under consideration. Both the four retirees and the two departed cost the court some funds in the forms of gratuities and allowances.
Two weeks ago, eight Supreme Court Justices were nominated for a workshop in London as the court cannot take all of them there at once otherwise the job would suffer. They would be going in batches. Accommodations are being gradually provided for the few that are yet to get. There is none of the Apex Court Justices without SUV and back up cars. If any of them were purchased but refurbished, the external and internal auditors are here in the court to take those that bought them up over it.
The high cost of electricity tariff and diesel are national problem. The Chief Registrar might have budgeted for N300 per litre but diesel is now selling for over N700 per litre and therefore has to find a way around it without even bringing it to the attention of the CJN. But there is no way the generator would be put off if the Court is sitting.
The amendment of court rules is on the process, it has to be critically reviewed to avoid conflict with the constitution and other extant laws. Not all the CJN has reviewed the rules in the past. Within the three years his brother Justices mentioned came the pandemic and the judiciary workers’ strike.
The internet services have been restored to Justices’ residences and chambers, just as some allowances have been paid to them. The CJN held a meeting with his brother Justices last Thursday and another one is due to hold this week.
The general public should be rest assured that there’s no hostility or adverse feelings amongst the Justices of the Supreme Court, as everyone is going about his normal duty.
Ahuraka Yusuf Isah, Senior Special Assistant (on Media} to the CJN
