The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) says the government of President Muhammadu Buhari has not respected the rule of law like it promised on May 29, 2015.
The NBA said the continued detention of a former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, and the leader of the Shi’ite movement, Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, despite court orders which admitted them to bail is disrespect for the laws of the country.
The NBA spoke through its national president, Abubakar Mahmoud, in Abuja to mark the 2017 Democracy Day.
According to the law group, such disobedience to court orders is uncalled for and does not show compliance to rule of law.
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| Dazuki still in Detention |
“The NBA is appalled at the continued detention of certain individuals in blatant disobedient to court orders. Among these individuals are Sheikh Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his wife, and also Col. Sambo Dasuki.
“While we recognise the seriousness of the charges in which individuals were held, we nevertheless viewed their continued detention as unjustified and contrary to the express court orders.
We call on the government to without further delays respect theses orders,” he said at a press conferences
The NBA further called the federal government to stop investigating judges who were accused of corruption but have not been charged before the court for over eight months now.
Mahmoud said: “In the wake of the arrest and detention of certain judicial officers by the DSS, the NBA had taken the view that the judges affected should recluse themselves from judicial functions until the investigation and outcomes of those investigations were determined, we note that nearly eight months after those investigations were launched, some of the judges have not been prosecuted or charged before any court of law.
“This situation is completely unsatisfactory and unacceptable
“The NBA calls on the government to terminate the investigation against those judges to enable them resume their work as judicial officers.
“NBA affirms commitment to unity and building a strong federal system. We urged all groups to continue to agitate peaceful existence among citizens of the country.”
Concerning security, the NBA praised the federal government for helping to release 82 of the Chibok girls abducted since 2014.
On the anti-corruption fight of the government, the NBA said:
“Efforts of anti-corruption agency is commendable. New anti-corruption strategy has been developed.
“Stakeholders should help the FG towards the success of the policy. We commend whistle blower policy. The government should fund the anti-corruption agencies.
“The lingering issue of EFCC leadership should be tackled once and for all
“The investigative agency should be more careful and thorough in carrying out its investigation. Media investigation should not be encouraged.”
