-Group Condemns Reinstatement; Warns of Popular Revolt
Former Governor Segun Oni of Ekiti State has declared that reinstatement of the suspended President Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Isa Ayo Salami does not impose any burden on him, saying; “It rather splashes mud on Nigeria.”
Oni, who reacted to the National Judicial Council (NJC) recommendation on Justice Salami’s reinstatement through his Media Aide, Mr. Lere Olayinka, said he was happy that no one has accused himself and former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola of parading fake call logs or of lying against anybody.
His full statement reads; “If Hon. Justice Isa Ayo Salami is returned, what burden does that impose on me? Absolutely none! Rather, it splashes mud on Nigeria.
“For Nigeria’s potential for greatness to be realised, Truth must count, Truth must attract a reasonable value andTruth must be respected.
“I am therefore very happy that no one has yet accused Oni and/or Oyinlola of parading fake call logs or of lying against anybody.”
Similarly, a United States of America-based group, Justice For All Nations (JFAN) has described the reinstatement of the suspended President Court of Appeal (PCA), Justice Isa Ayo Salami as a bad omen for the judiciary in Nigeria, saying; “it is obvious that truth does not count in Nigeria and the country is gradually moving towards a situation where the people will revolt against the judiciary by dis-obeying court pronouncements.”
The group expressed fear that Nigeria was drifting towards a state of anarchy because when a society lacks access to justice and perverts the truth, such society is digging its own grave.
JFAN said in a statement issued today by its Coordinator, Dr. Dada Popoola that it was saddening that the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Dahiru Musdapher, whose evidence nailed Justice Salami before the National Judicial Council (NJC) Probe Panel, could champion his (Salami) reinstatement.
JFAN said; “It is sad that it was the same Justice Dahiru Musdapher, who told the NJC Probe Panel on oath that Justice Salami lied on oath against the former CJN, Justice Allysius Katsina Alu, was the one at the forefront of the struggle for the reinstatement of the suspended PCA.
“The implication of this is that; the evidence Justice Musdapher gave at the NJC Probe Panel was not true, and that he (Musdapher) actually lied on oath against Justice Salami. This further implies that; Nigeria now has a liar as its CJN, which is sad!”
While also berating the NJC for over-reaching the court by deliberating on the Justice Salami’s matter despite the pendency of four cases, including the one instituted by Salami himself, JFAN said; “What the NJC members, including the CJN did simply amounts to telling Nigerians that pendency of suits on a matter no longer have effect,
and that the courts can go to hell!”
“Those judges, who sat at the NJC meeting in which Justice Salami’s matter was discussed in spite of the pending cases have simply destroyed the res on the pending suits.
“We then begin to wonder what the decision of those judges would be if contempt proceeding is brought before them against someone, who takes action(s) that destroy the res on a case that is pending before their courts.”