NBA Has Become A Paper Tiger And Has Failed To Rescue Judiciary From Political Intimidation – Wike

Rivers Governor Nyesom Wike has taken a swipe at the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), saying the body has failed in its responsibility to protect the judiciary.

The Governor said the NBA had become a paper tiger without undertaking concrete actions to rescue the judiciary from political intimidation.

He spoke at a book presentation in honour of Justice Mary Peter-Odili as part of activities marking her retirement from the Supreme Court and her 70th birthday celebration at Dr. Obi Wali International Conference Centre in Port Harcourt on Monday.

Governors present at the event were: Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia); Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri (Adamawa); Mr. Udom Emmanuel (Akwa Ibom); Senator Douye Diri (Bayelsa); Samuel Ortom (Benue); Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) and Seyi Makinde (Oyo).

Wike insisted that the NBA adopted lacklustre approach to social change saying it was a disservice to the nation.

He said: “What is even worrisome on the part of the President of the NBA is his failure to admit that the NBA, including the inner and outer Bar, which he leads, have failed in their responsibility to protect the rule of law and defend the judiciary from punitive intimidation and erosion of its independence by the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government.

“It is quite unfortunate that the NBA is only good at issuing bland statements of condemnation without more, while the judiciary continues to suffer ferocious bouts of harassment from a Federal Government that has become notorious for its contemptuous attitude towards the rule of law and the rights of Nigerians to an effective justice system.”

Wike also expressed his disagreement with some speakers, who blamed the problems of the judiciary on politicians at last Thursday’s valedictory court session organised in honour of Justice Odili.

Specifically, the Governor said Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) identified corruption as the bane of the Nigerian judiciary and pointed fingers at politicians, lawyers and the federal government.

But the Governor said the SAN was wrong in his allusion to political cases as responsible for the debasement of Nigerian courts.

He said: “Now, if I may ask, are lawyers not behind the contemptuous criticisms of judges by clients? How many lawyers have withdrawn from political cases in protest against unwarranted castigation of the court by clients?

“How many lawyers have withdrawn their services to clients on account of frivolous petitions against the court without their consent? Who are those who advised politicians to reach out to judges? Where are the lawyers that have ever advised their clients against reaching out to judges handling their matters?

“For me, let us stop the scapegoating and tell ourselves the truth that as lawyers, most of us are all involved in this despicable conduct, perpetrating the same evil, only at different levels because of our predisposition for success through backdoors without any regard to the damage we are doing to the reputation of the entire judicial system.”

The Governor said the Federal Government had in 2016 unleashed premeditated midnight raids on Judges’ homes, including the Justices of the Supreme Court, in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Gombe, Kano, Enugu and Sokoto States.

He said: “In 2020, when the sanctity of Justice Mary Odili’s home was violated by hired members of the APC over the Supreme Court’s judgment that sacked the party’s governorship candidate for Bayelsa State, the NBA just condemned it, without any further follow-up action to forestall a reoccurrence.”

Wike also pointed out that the judiciary was also a problem to itself because it had become weak and incapable of asserting and safeguarding its independence from the predatory tendencies of other arms of government.

He noted that when judges were lacking in courage and integrity, they easily gave up to improper pressure, influence and control.

The governor assured that if elected the President of Nigeria in 2023, he would work with the National Assembly to prioritize the welfare of all judicial officers, including the provision of official cars and life-long accommodation as his government had done in Rivers.

“With me on the saddle as the President and Commander-in-Chief, the judiciary in Nigeria shall be in safe good hands and Nigerians will again experience the glorious days of an independent, vibrant and progressive judiciary”, he said.

Justice Odili, noted though Nigerian judges were among the best in the world, they had never been treated right.

She said: “A lot has been said about judges, judgements and corruption and what have you. The truths be told, the Nigerian judges have not been treated right, and the truth has not been said of Nigerian judges who in my view are the very best in the world. I’ve not delivered any judgement and have gone to sleep easily.”

Justice Odili, who was the first lady of Rivers State between 1999 to 2007, expressed delight that some of her judgments had been published for public benefits.

She said: “I am very happy that some of my judgements have been captured in print. And as I peeped through the judgments of those big judges and magistrates of the old Bendel State, my own judgments are now in the open for everyone to look at.

“All anyone can say is that she didn’t apply the law properly here, she did not understand the law properly. But, no one can ever say she gave judgement because of an interest in the matter.”

Benue Governor, Samuel Ortom, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, described Justice Odili as an epitome of humility.

Chairman of the occasion and former president of the Nigerian Bar Association, Onueze C.J.Okocha, SAN, noted that Justice Odili served the country meritoriously, honourably and without blemish to her character.

The five books written in honour of Justice Mary Peter Odili are Judicial Journey of Hon. Justice Mary U. Peter Odili; Essays in honour of Hon. Justice Mary Ukaego Peter Odili; Icon and On: Leading judgments on women’s rights in Nigeria in honour of Justice Mary Peter Odili; Mary Odili and the Law: Legal essays and Understanding the administration of criminal justice in Nigeria through the eyes of Hon. Justice Mary Ukaego Peter Odili.