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The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) condemned "the harbadment, intimidation and unfair treatment of the former Acting Chief Justice of Kebbi State, Elizabeth Karatu, who was barred from accessing his courtroom in order to render a certain judgment the Nigeria Civil Security and Defense Corps (NSCDC), who claimed to act in accordance with the directive that he had given direction. "
The organization urged the president of the National Council of Justice (NJC) and Nigeria's acting president, Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, to: "publicly condemn the unfair treatment of Judge Karatu and urgently dismiss him the case to the relevant authorities for the purpose of a prompt, thorough and effective investigation in the country. to ensure that the perpetrators of this illegal act are appointed, shame and bring to justice. "
In a video clip, we hear Judge Karatu: "I am the oldest judge of this court and I am here to deliver my judgment. Can you imagine? Which direction did you give the order? Today is my last day to be here and I have the right to be here. I came to give my judgment. As far as I am concerned, everyone in this yard is my junior and I need an audience room to make my judgment. "
Reacting, SERAP said today in a statement from its deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare: "Prohibiting Judge Karatu from pronouncing judgment is an intolerable act of intimidation against the highest judicial authority of Kebbi State at the material time. Regardless of any allegations that may have been made against him, it is clear that Judge Karatu was treated unfairly by the apparently unlawful acts of Kebbi State Governor Mr. Atiku Bagudu and the NSCDC, the 39, barring access to his courtroom to make a decision. case. "
According to SERAP, "prohibiting Judge Karatu from accessing her courtroom is totally inconsistent with the sacred principle of the independence of the judiciary, and non-compliance by the authorities with guarantees Important procedural is a clbadic school case. SERAP will vigorously pursue justice in this case, to ensure that this shameful act does not affect the work of other judges or compromise their ability to exercise their judicial functions freely and effectively. "
The statement read in part as follows: "The NYC should immediately establish a committee to thoroughly and effectively investigate the alleged role played by the new Acting Chief Justice of Kebbi State, Judge Suleiman Mohammed Ambursa, in the unfair treatment, harbadment and intimidation of Judge Karatu and if there is sufficient admissible and relevant evidence, ensure that appropriate disciplinary measures and sanctions are taken against him. "
"The ultimate responsibility for the crisis in the Kebbi state justice system rests with Governor Bagudu. To avoid further erosion of the constitutional principles of judicial independence and separation of powers, the governor must publicly apologize for the gross violations of the human rights of Judge Kataru and guarantee her access to justice and effective remedies, including reparation. "
"It is clear that the rule of law in Kebbi State is besieged. SERAP urges Governor Bagudu's government to refrain from any threat or interference that would further undermine the independence and authority of the court as the supreme guardian of the Nigerian constitution and legislation. "
"By locking the court entrance, Governor Bagudu's government and the NSCDC have obstructed justice, a form of corruption governed by the United Nations Convention against Corruption to which Nigeria is a party, as they apparently illegally prevented Judge Karatu from performing her judicial duties and rendering some judgment on the eve of her retirement. "
"The apparently arbitrary actions of Governor Bagudu and NSCDC also constitute an unlawful interference with the private and professional life of Judge Karatu, in violation of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended), of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. and the African Charter of the African Charter of Human Rights. Human rights and peoples to which Nigeria is a party. "
"The Nigerian constitution and these human rights treaties provide legal protection against arbitrary interference by the authorities, including in Kebbi State. The unfair treatment and intimidation of Judge Karatu, in addition to being inconsistent with the rule of law, have had tangible consequences on her material welfare and her family. "
"Such arbitrary and illegal actions expose judges, both at the federal and state level, to political and executive pressure, jeopardizing their independence and impartiality."
"Under our laws, judges can only be dismissed in accordance with an objective and independent procedure prescribed by law. Any disciplinary sanction or procedure for judges must ensure a sufficient separation of the judiciary from other state powers, as well as appropriate safeguards against abuse and abuse of disciplinary measures and sanctions against the judiciary. independence of justice. "
"Judges shall be free to exercise their professional functions without political interference and shall be protected, in law and in practice, against attacks, harbadment or persecution in the exercise of their professional activities."
"Courts play a major role in the fight against corruption and ensure that victims or potential victims of human rights violations receive effective remedies and protection, that perpetrators of human rights abuses the man be brought to justice. "
"But when judges are treated unfairly, the role of the judiciary is to control other branches of government, to ensure that the laws of the legislature and the executive acts are in accordance with the law, and seriously eroded. . "
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Last week, a fashionable video clip showed that an NSCDC official barred Judge Karatu from accessing a courtroom. The judge, who was scheduled to retire on July 5, was scheduled to vote on July 4, her last day in office. Ms. Karatu, until her retirement, was the highest judge of the judiciary of Kebbi State. The civil defense officer barricaded the road, preventing the superior judge and his police officer from accessing the court premises.
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Judge Karatu, a Christian, was appointed Acting Chief Justice of Kebbi State in October 2018, following the retirement of former Chief Justice Bala Mairiga, who left office the same month. The Kebbi State Assembly Chamber refused to confirm Ms. Karatu as a substantive CJ after State Governor Atiku Bagudu sent her name to the Chamber for confirmation.
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