A former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice
Mohammed Lawal Uwais on Wednesday said that the National Judicial Council
treated the retired President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami
unfairly in the way and manner, he (Salami) was suspended.
This was just as Justice Salami himself said that he did not regret all he did that led to his controversial suspension, adding that he has been vindicated by the reports of all the panels set up to investigate him which reported that he had no case to answer.
These revelations came during the presentation of a book in honour of Justice Salami to mark his retirement from the judiciary after 45 years of service, in Abuja.
According to Uwais, “who has the power to suspend Justice Salami from office? Is it the NJC or the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria?
These questions have been the subject of debate by the press, lawyers and the general public. Sometime in April, 2011 I expressed my opinion on the issue in answer to a question by the media in Lagos. Let me now expatiate what informed my answer, that it is the NJC that is vested with power to suspend a judicial officer ( a judge that is) for misconduct, as a disciplinary measure, and not the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Section 153 subsection (2) of the 1999 Constitution provides inter alia that the powers of the National Judicial Council are “contained in Part 1 of the Third Schedule to the Constitution” paragraph 21 sub paragraph (b) of Part 1 of the Third Schedule thus -
“21 The National Judicial Council shall have power to-
(b) recommend to the President the removal from office of the judicial officers specified in sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph and to exercise disciplinary control over such officers.”
“It is to be noted that these provisions are specifically talking about the powers of the NJC and not the power of the President. Suspension from office is an act of discipline.
“ It follows that Justice Isa Ayo Salami had been unfairly treated by the NJC, it is disturbing, to say the least, that the NJC, whose membership consists of eminent and experienced judges and lawyers should act in the manner they treated Justice Salami. With his retirement taking effect on the 15th October, 2013 his suspension from office automatically came to an end.”
Delivering a key note address on the occassion, Prof. Wole Soyinka praised the jurist saying the stared authority in the face and dispensed justice without fear or favour.
He added that it is not only disappointing, but an international embarrassment for all the lecturers in the nation to be on strike.
The book reviewer, Prof. Ademola Popoola, former Dean of the Law Faculty of Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, also paid glowing tribute to Justice Salami whom he described as a man of great courage, integrity and impeccable character.
The Book; “Isa Ayo Salami: Through Life And Justice”, was edited by Funmi Quadri in honour of the retiring jurist and was unveiled at the event by former CJN, Mohammed Uwais alongside another former CJN, Justice Idris Kutigi with support from Justice Bulkachuwa, the Acting President of the Court of Appeal.
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Politics
Y are u people complaining u shud know dat Nigerians leaders likes doing wrong tins despise it is obvious to us all dat it is wrong,Jonathan refused to restate justice Salami bcause he knew dat he can't dictate to him,GEJ though claims he has a Ph.d n was a lecturer but we neva saw dat in him cause most of his actions during his reigns n which he is still are uncivilian n undemocratic n full of wickedness,greed,selfishness n self centred.But to justice Salami we greet 4 ur courage n integrity,bravo to u sir;we respect u n love u
ReplyDeleteThe likes of justice Salami have come ahead of his time in Nigeria. A country that has no cedible leadership. His acts,deeds and judgements which were done without fear is already in history and he would be remembered as the Good while the others who were against truth and justice would be remembered as the Bad and the Ugly in this episode of justice. Remember the world is nothing but a stage were we must act our part and give our account to God.
ReplyDeleteGlory be to Almighty God for scaling you through the scale of challenges to your successful retirement but it is not certain that you will not end up in JAIL. I have every right to say that you are a corrupt leader that doesn't need human sympathy. I would like to call your attention to hidden facts of what you did for your own selfish interest within the Court of Appeal alone.
ReplyDeleteThe likes of an abuja based legal practitioners whom only support you all in the name of getting contracts for his own premature technological company as now claimed that you serviced with millions worth of projects. More of the selfish interest executed projects includes;
1. The cleaning services of the Court
2. The court yearly diary
3. Court of Appeal Judgement Management
4. Internet Connectivity
5. Building extension
6. Employment and more..
The question is: HOW MANY OF THIS PROJECTS SURVIVED YOU? You should be ashamed of yourself to say that you were betrayed.
You are a major element of the Judiciary corruption. We have facts and evidences placed on record exposing all you have done and more so the way your abuja based legal practitioners went to the extent of making money for themselves through the corrupt Justice of FCT High Court (Gunmi) and his counterpart Toyin Yahaya. More will still come your way.
A 70 paged petition has been prepared, which is meant to be sent to the CJN, EFCC and the ICPC. We will keep you posted.
I don't blame dirty-looking, heavily corrupt, semi-literate Ibanuje Salami for spewing gibberish. I blame Jonathan who refused to hand him over to the police for investigation; in spite of the mountain of damning evidence that we provided against this useless dreg who can hardly speak English. Baba were, olori buruku.
For NIGERIA to be ok....We need to reform the Judiciary by flushing out the bad one. The Hon. CJN is trying and we must commend her. This people are due for JAIL. Let the CJN make them as an example to other bad people within the Judiciary. I REST MY CASE for now!