The Nigerian Senate has on Tuesday agreed to proceed with the investigation of the crisis reported by a group of Justices of the Supreme Court. The lawmakers are proceeding with the investigation despite the resignation of Justice Tanko Muhammad, under whom the issues came to light.
Driving the news
Following a critical deliberation on the matter, the legislators resolved that its committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters would collaborate with relevant stakeholders in the judiciary system to find a lasting solution to the crisis which have questioned the integrity of the resigned Justice Tanko Muhammad.
- The Senate also directed the committee to “interface with the relevant stakeholders in the three arms of government as well as at the Bar and Bench.”
In case you missed it
- 14 Justices of the Supreme Court reportedly signed a leaked letter last week, before the resignation of Justice Tanko Muhammad, complaining about the poor operating conditions of the apex court.
- Top of the issues raised by the jurist include lack of diesel allowance, lack of drugs at the Supreme Court Clinic, lack of sophisticated offices for the Justices, poor accommodation. Others include non-replacement of damaged vehicles, poor electricity supply to the Supreme Court, increase in electricity tariff and many more.
- In his response, Justice Tanko Muhammad said he could meet some demands such as replacing the damaged SUVs but could not meet the other demands due to the economic situation of the country.
What they are saying
- Coming under Order 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Orders 2022, as amended, Senator Michael Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) stated that the issues in the Supreme Court needed to be resolved as they could impact the performance of the jurists.
- Deputy Chief Whip, Senator Sabi Abdullahi, said that the lawmakers will play a supportive role to ensure that the judiciary, an arm of the government, gets all the support it deserves.