The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Mohammad, has denied allegations raised against him by Supreme Court Justices in a leaked memo.
The justices of the apex court had in a joint petition accused the CJN of poor welfare among others.
But the CJN in a statement by his Senior Special Assistant (Media), Ahuraka Isah, titled, ‘Re: State Of Affairs In The Supreme Court And Demand By Justices Of The Supreme Court’, denied the allegations.
He explained the Supreme Court justices were provided with SUV vehicles, cars and accommodation.
“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,” part of the statement read.
On the allegation that there was no electricity in the courtrooms, the statement said, “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.”
He also debunked an allegation that the justices had no Internet to do their work, urging the public to disregard “adverse feelings” among the Justices of the Supreme Court,
“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,” he added.
Backstory
In a leaked petition, 14 justices of the apex court accused the CJN of abandoning his responsibilities and diverting funds meant for the running of the Supreme Court.
Among the issues raised by the justices are accommodation, vehicles, electricity tariff, supply of diesel, internet services to justices’ residences, training for justices and epileptic electricity supply to the court.
They accused the CJN of receiving their demands without acting “after several persistent requests” to hold a meeting which was finally held on March 31, where a welfare committee was set up.
“Your lordship received and ignored these demands since 24th March 2022.
“In the past justices were nominated to attend two to three foreign workshops and training per annum with an accompanying person for reasons of age,” the petition stated.
“Since your lordship’s assumption of office, justices only attended two workshops in Dubai and Zanzibar. They were not accorded the privilege of travelling with accompanying persons as was the practice.
“Your lordship totally ignored this demand and yet travelled with your spouse, children and personal staff.
“We demand to know what has become of our training funds, have they been diverted, or is it a plain denial?
“Your lordship may also remember that the national assembly has increased the budgetary allocation of the Judiciary. We find it strange that in spite of the upward review of our budgetary allocation, the Court cannot cater for our legitimate entitlements. This is unacceptable!”
They also lamented that the Supreme Court clinic “has become a mere consulting clinic”.
“Drugs are not available to treat minor ailments. There is a general lack of concern for justices who require immediate or emergency medical intervention,” part of the petition read.
While complaining that they lacked electricity to work at him, the justices recalled that the CJN had in an internal memo stated that “electricity would be supplied to the court between the hours of 8am and 4pm daily, for lack of diesel”.
The petition added, “The committee also requested for the restoration of our monthly Internet allowance, because we require uninterrupted Internet service in order to have access to materials online to write our judgments.
“With regard to justice’s vehicles, several are due for replacement, while the new Justices have not received their full complement of vehicles to date. Moreover, some of the vehicles supplied to the Justices are either refurbished or substandard.
“Your lordship with all due respect, this is the peak of the degeneration of the court; it is the height of decadence, and clear evidence of the absence of probity and moral rectitude.
“Your lordship, this act alone portends imminent danger to the survival of this court and the Judiciary as an institution, which is gradually drifting to extinction.
“The judiciary is an arm of government. The supreme court of Nigeria, just like the Presidential Villa and the national assembly, is the seat of the judiciary as an arm of government. The implication of the memo is that this arm of Government is potentially shut down. May God never allow that day.
“Your Lordship, this is a wake-up call. Your Lordship must take full responsibility as our leader. You must not concession your responsibility to people who have no responsibility or stake in preserving and defending the dignity of the Institution
“It is either you quickly and swiftly take responsibility and address these burning issues or we will be compelled to further steps immediately. May this day never come.”
