The judiciary in Anambra State has warned that it will not
tolerate any act of intimidation, threats and harassment on its
members.
Prof. Ilochi Okafor (SAN) delivered the warning on Monday during
a special court session at the Anambra Judiciary headquarters to
mark the commencement of the 2018/2019 legal year in the state.
Okafor, who spoke as a senior member of the bar, while
delivering his address, condemned recent acts of intimidation on
judicial officers in the state by senior police officers and
members of the public, including politicians.
He said: “Threats, killings and physical assault are serious
threats of the judiciary.
“Most of our colleagues have passed through this several times
in Anambra, and we must not let this continue to happen.”
He cited instances of a judge in the state who was threatened
“through a verifiable phone number” yet the police did nothing
about it, while the same judge was accosted while going home from
work and held hostage in his car.
He noted the case of another magistrate who was bullied by a
divisional police officer (DPO) for daring to disobey his order in
a criminal matter he was handling.
“These acts of intimidation must stop. The judiciary cannot be
cowed or intimidated. The bench and bar must fight this together,
because if we are caged, justice is caged.
“I am calling on the honourable chief judge to immediately meet
with other stakeholders and schedule a meeting with the CP and
governor to see a way around this,” he said.
The Chief Judge of the state, Justice Peter Umeadi, who presided
over the special court session, used the opportunity of the
ceremony to reel out a long list of achievement by the state
judiciary within the legal year.
He however commiserated with the families of 12 members of the
judiciary who lost their lives within the past legal year.
2019: Youth Parliament Endorses Saraki’s
loyalist
Ahead of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) primaries, the
Nigerian Youth Parliament has endorsed the candidacy of Abdulmajeed
Olanrewaju Oba for the Federal House of Representatives.
Mr Olanrewaju Oba who organised the recent Mass Rally for Senate
Bukola Saraki for President, is vying to represent the Asa, Ilorin
West Federal Constituency in the 2019 general elections under the
PDP platform.
Speaking on the endorsement at a Special Occasion of a merit
award of excellence conferment on Oba, the Head of Mission,
Nigerian Youth Parliament, Mr Gideon Obande, said that the
recipient of the award Oba had contributed to youth development in
the state through his advocacies and empowerment programmes.
“The Nigerian Youth Parliament deems it fit as the apex youth
legislative organisation in the country to tour various states of
the country so as to encourage serious young politicians in the
2019 general elections.
“Our searchlight has revealed that Honourable Abdulmajeed
Olanrewaju Oba is the most vibrant young aspirant in Kwara state.
This is seen in his capacity and wide youth acceptance across the
constituency and State of Harmony.
“The Nigerian Youth Parliament is here in the State of Harmony
not just to applaud your distinct efforts in making the ‘Not Too
Young To Run’ a reality in Kwara but to also honour your passion
and desire based on your track records as a youth cum community
emancipator.”
On the award of excellence, Mr Obande said the zeal, meritorious
service and innovative service delivery exhibited by Hon Olanrewaju
make him a worthy recipient of the award.
The Youth parliament named Mr Olanrewaju Oba ‘Icon of hope to
Nigerian Youths and Nation Building’ in recognition of his youth
activities and contribution to the growth of the body in
Nigeria.
Also speaking at the occasion, the President of Agbaji Youths
Solidarity Forum, a pressure group in Kwara State, Othman Tosho has
commended Oba for his supports to various youth groups in the
state..
“We are thrilled to have you present here on this day. Our
resolve as Agbaji youths is to massively support your candidacy
owing to your trademark and landmark achievements in Kwara state,
we are proud that you are a great youth ambassador and we will
stand with you in this journey”.
Responding, Olanrewaju Oba promised to focus on education,
health, creating employment and development of Ilorin West when
elected into the House of Representatives.
Kamaldeen Abdulkareem
Senior Adviser to Hon. Olanrewaju Oba