Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transport
Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP has
despatched seven queries to Justice Mahmud Mohammed, the Chief Justice
of Nigeria over the alleged visit of Rotimi Amaechi, minister of transport to Justice Inyang Okoro.
Amaechi has vehemently denied the visit and threatened to sue the judge.
But SERAP in an open letter to Justice Mohammed, who is the
Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC) seeks explanations on
what “he and the NJC knew or had reason to know regarding the report
to them on 1st February, 2016 by Justice John Inyang Okoro of the
Supreme Court of Nigeria about the alleged visit.
Okoro had alleged that Amaechi visited him at his official
residence to discuss election Appeals in respect of Rivers State, Akwa
Ibom State and Abia State.”
Okoro also claimed he told the Chief Justice about the visit of
Mr. Umana Umana, the APC governorship candidate to his residence to
allegedly make the same request of assistance to win the appeal at the
Supreme Court.”
SERAP’s letter to the NJC chairman, which was signed by its executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni states that,
“We consider these allegations as constituting a serious threat to the
independence, impartiality and accountability of the judiciary, and
should in the ordinary course of duties, have prompted action from your
Lordship and the NJC to wit: undertaking prompt, thorough and
transparent investigations, and where there is prima-facie evidence of
political interference in the judicial system, to report the matter to
the appropriate anti-corruption commissions and agencies for further
investigation and possible prosecution.”
“SERAP strongly believes that the NJC has a responsibility to
support judges in dealing with alleged corrupt inducements that are
offered or the threats they receive, such as the allegations in this
case.”
In this respect, SERAP wishes to pose the following questions
to your Lordship and the NJC: First, is it correct to suggest that
Justice Okoro reported to you and the NJC on 1st February, 2016 his
alleged meeting at his official residence with Mr Rotimi Amaechi? Was
Justice Okoro’s report documented by your Lordship and the NJC? If so,
Nigerians would like to hear from your Lordship and the NJC whether
Justice Okoro’s report was ever discussed, and what action, if any, was
taken by your Lordship and the NJC to respond to the allegations raised
in his report?”
“Second, is it fair to suggest that your Lordship and the NJC
knew, or had reason to know, that the alleged visit by Mr Amaechi to
Justice Okoro’s official residence would constitute a case of political
interference in the judicial system and a corruption offence under
Nigerian laws and the UN Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria
is a state party?”
“Third, after the alleged visit was brought to the attention of
your Lordship and the NJC, did your Lordship and the NJC take any step
to promptly and thoroughly investigate the matter further?
“Fourth, would your Lordship and the NJC agree that the alleged
visit to Justice Okoro’s official residence to discuss election Appeals
has seriously undermined the public trust and confidence in the
judiciary, and the image of the judiciary as the last hope of the common
man?”
“Fifth, is it correct to suggest that it is part of the
inherent and implicit constitutional duties of the NJC to ensure that
the judiciary as a whole does not lay itself open to the risk of
political interference, manipulation and coercion to act in a certain
way? Is it also correct to suggest that such duties require the NJC to
promptly and thoroughly investigate allegations of political
interference in the judicial system, that is, when those in political
power allegedly use their influence to force or induce judges to act and
rule according to their interests and not in accordance with the
application of the law?”
“Sixth, would your Lordship and the NJC accept that the alleged
visit by Mr Amaechi to the official residence of Justice Okoro to
allegedly discuss election Appeals was motivated, facilitated and
encouraged by the apparent failure by the NJC to ensure, as part of its
inherent and implicit constitutional duties: (1) that system was in
place to ensure prompt and thorough investigation of allegations of
political interference in the judicial system and where there is prima
facie evidence, to refer such allegations to appropriate anti-corruption
commissions and agencies for further investigation and possible
prosecution, in strict accordance with the standards of national laws
and international law including the UN Convention against Corruption;
(2) that any such system was operating in a continuous and effective
manner?”
“Seventh, would your Lordship and the NJC proceed to establish a
system to ensure prompt and thorough investigation of allegations of
political interference in the judicial system, and then ensure that
through such system the alleged visit of Mr Amaechi to Justice Okoro’s
official residence is promptly and thoroughly investigated by the NJC,
and where there is prima facie evidence of political interference, that
the matter is promptly referred to appropriate anti-corruption
commissions and agencies for further investigation and possible
prosecution?”
“Nigerians are eagerly awaiting clarifications from your Lordship and the NJC on the issues raised above,” SERAP wrote.
NAN
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