Senate Condemns Clampdown On Corrupt Judges as House Summons DSS Director

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Tuesday, October 11th, 2016

By Ganiyu Nasirudeen

ABUJA, NIGERIA (AFRICAN EXAMINER) – The Nigerian Senate Tuesday, during its plenary condemned the invasion of the homes of some judges last weekend and their arrest by the operatives of Department of State Services (DSS).

The upper legislative chamber’s position emanated from the motion on urgent National importance moved by Senator Joshua Lidani, under Orders 42 and 52 of the Senate’s Rules Book. The motion was seconded by Senator Dino Melaye.

The lawmakers who have earlier during Monday session, condemned the security operatives action, however declined the motion that the DSS Director Mr. Lawal Daura be invited to come and explain why did order on invasion and arrest was given, without passing through the National Judicial Council (NJC).

Operatives of DSS between last week Friday and Saturday clampdown on seven judges – two of the Supreme Court; one of Court of Appeal in Abuja and four others of the Federal High Court, on allegation of collecting bribe and trading of judgements.

However, one of the accused jurists Justice Uche Agumuo of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, escaped being arrested, as the State Governor, Nyesom Wike was allegedly called by him, who purportedly prevented his arrest.

The seven judges who were arraigned before a magistrate court in Abuja Monday, have since been granted administrative bail.

In contrary, the House of Representatives at its Plenary has summoned DSS Director over the development.

The lawmakers’s directive followed a motion by Hon. Chinda Ogundu.