The Human & Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has petitioned the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), to investigate the allegations and counter-allegations by some Justices in the Supreme Court against the immediate past Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Tanko Muhammed, and prosecute anyone found guilty.
In a letter dated June 22, 2022 and addressed to the Chairman of ICPC, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, HEDA urged the Commission to stand tall over the allegations of corruption, maladministration and incompetence levelled against Muhammed recently by his brother Justices of the Supreme Court.
“In accordance with International best standards, we call on ICPC to commence investigation into the budgetary allocation, utilization and development process of the judiciary with a view to the sanitization of that critical arm of government,” HEDA said in its petition.
It added that its interest stems from its role “As a leading Anti-Corruption Organization in Nigeria and Non-partisan human rights and development league with the mandate to protect and promote universally recognized human rights, public accountability, transparency and environmental justice in Nigeria and Africa.”
In accordance with International best standards, we call on ICPC to commence investigation into the budgetary allocation, utilization and development process of the judiciary with a view to the sanitization of that critical arm of government.
Recall that on June 21st, it was widely reported that the former CJN responded to the allegations brought against him by the 14 Justices on the aforementioned allegations.
HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, restated the allegations that the budget of the Judiciary has been allegedly operated between the CJN and Registrar of the Court with little knowledge or involvement of the justices of the Court, thereby promoting opacity, discrimination, favouritism and corruption in the management of the judiciary and more importantly its resources.
Suraju said: “It is unarguable that the Judiciary is the last hope of the helpless and its Judges are only meant to be heard and not seen. However, these allegations made by fellow Justices of the apex Court against the Chief Justice of Nigeria cannot be overlooked, as it is weighty and must be diligently investigated by the Commission in order to protect that vital institution.
“If the Supreme Court of Nigeria is infested with corrupt persons, then our democracy is doomed, ICPC and other relevant bodies should rise and act fast to redeem the temple of Justice from possible collapse,” he urged.
He recalled that Muhammed’s impropriety began when “Justice Tanko surprised the country with the story of his primary school certificate being eaten by vicious termites during screening by the Senate for his confirmation as Chief Justice of Nigeria.”
