Musdapher, new CJN, keeps mum on Salami

Posted by admin Judiciary, Latest Politics Thursday, September 22nd, 2011

Chief Justice of Nigeria, Aliyu Musdapher yesterday declined to comment on the suspension of President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Isa Salami yesterday.
The new CJN appeared before the Senate for the constitutional confirmatory hearing.

Senate also confirmed the appointment of Mr. Darius Dickson Ishaku, as a minister representing Taraba State in the Federal Executive Council (FEC).
Ishaku replaced Dr. Obadiah Ando whose nomination was unanimously rejected by the Senate in July.
Senate suspended Order 17 of its standing rules to allow Justice Musdapher and Mr. Ishaku entered the chamber for the exercise.

Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), set the ball rolling when he asked Justice Musdapher whether President Goodluck Jonathan did not breach the constitution by acting on the recommendations of the National Judicial Council (NJC) on Justice Ayo Isa Salami matter.
“Was the President right in acting on the recommendations of the NJC?” he asked.
Before Justice Musdapher could answer the question, Senate President David Mark interjected.
He said: “I’m a bit worried about the question as the matter is in court and I don’t want us to make a statement that would send a wrong signal out.

“Let’s not do anything that the public will perceive wrongly. I’m not saying you shouldn’t answer the question but it is better to be safe, so that those who have vested interest don’t capitalize on what happened here.”
Justice Musdapher in his reply said: “Judges are members of the society we all live in. Most importantly, issues people talk about are elections and electoral matters; people almost always want to win at all times.

“The president of the Senate has very kindly answered or spoken about the situation. It’s inappropriate for me to speak on a matter that is before a court of law and the issues that have been raised are matters to be decided by the court and I don’t think it is right for me at this stage to offer any explanation or any answer on what is before a court of law.”
In response to Senator Ibrahim Gimba’s question on the independence of the judiciary, the new CJN noted that although the judiciary is relatively independent, he said state governments eroded such independence by withholding statutory benefits due judges.

“The judiciary is independent in this country, probably here and there you may find some odd things going on, but by and large we try to do the best that we can,” he said.
On his vision for the judiciary, Justice Musdapher said: “I want to have better judiciary within the time available to me. I want to call stakeholders’ meeting and we’ll do the best that we can so that public confidence is fully restored.”
-Sunwp_posts