The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Tanko Muhammad, has warned that the judiciary will resist future attacks on its officials, while strongly condemning Justice Odili home invasion.
The CJN gave the note of warning during the special court session to mark the 2021/2022 New Legal Year and the inauguration of 72 new Senior Advocates of Nigeria in Abuja.
There was a public outcry when security operatives invaded the Abuja residence of the second most senior justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Mary Odili, on October 29, 2021.
The breach was similar to the October 2016 raids on residences of judges of courts across the country by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) over allegations of corruption.
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Justice Muhammad said the judiciary has now had enough of such executive rascality and would no longer take such shenanigans.
“By the nature of our work, we are conservative but not conquered species and should not be pushed further than this by the government,” he said.
“With time, those taking the judiciary as mere weakling, will soon realise that it is from the calmest seas we often experience the fiercest storms. The time to oppress, suppress and intimidate judicial officers is gone.
The CJN informed that the new direction on search warrants now requires the approval by the Chief Judge’s of the state.
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In a remarks, the chairman of Body of Benchers, Mr. Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), and President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Olumide Akpata, called for the prosecution of suspects arrested in connection with the invasion of Justice Odili’s residence.
“It is not enough that some people have been arrested; Nigerians must know who they are,” Awomolo said.
Akpata said the bar could not fold its hands and watch the desecration of the Bench.
