The Socio-Financial Rights and Duty Challenge has steered President Bola Tinubu to “stop” the Minister of the Federal Capital Range, Nyesom Wike, and Nigeria’s 36 governors from “usurping the authority and responsibilities of the National Judicial Council and heads of courts through the giving of cars and houses to judges.”
In step with SERAP, those movements most likely point out that the judiciary is changing into submissive to the manager arm of presidency.
This observation is contained in a letter dated November 9, 2024, and signed and spared by way of SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, a magazine of which used to be made to be had to PUNCH On-line on Sunday, November 10, 2024.
SERAP additionally steered the president to direct the Legal professional-Normal of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, “to challenge in court the constitutionality and legality of the practice of members of the executive giving cars and houses to judges in Abuja and across the states.”
The organisation requested Tinubu to support the running situations and welfare of the folk’s judiciary “through existing constitutional arrangements and mechanisms,” as his govt is constitutionally mandated to “safeguard the rule of law.”
SERAP’s place follows a file from September 24, 2024, when the Federal Govt Council licensed the development of 40 housing devices for judges and justices within the FCT.
The FCT Minister disclosed this age addressing Condition Space Correspondents next the 18th Council assembly chaired by way of the President at Aso Rock Villa, Abuja. Wike mentioned the initiative used to be a part of the federal government’s Renewed Hope Housing time table to lend stock and handy lodging for judicial officials.
Of the 40 devices to be built within the Katampe District, 20 can be allotted to the FCT Top Court docket, 10 to the Federal Top Court docket, and 10 to the Court docket of Attraction.
SERAP said, “Such practices are antithetical to the constitutional ideas of divorce of powers, tests and balances, and the rule of thumb of regulation, and might manufacture the belief that the judiciary is subservient to the manager.
“Politicians ought to keep their hands off the judiciary, respect and protect its integrity and independence. Politicians must treat judges with dignity and respect. The Nigerian Constitution and international standards make clear that the judiciary is neither subservient to the executive nor the legislature.”
The letter, which used to be copied to the United International locations Particular Rapporteur at the Liberty of Judges and Legal professionals, Margaret Satterthwaite, famous, “Undermining the fundamental principle of separation of powers risks constraining the ability of the judiciary to act as a check on the executive.”
“SERAP urges you to considerably support investment for the judiciary to reinforce their running situations, welfare, and pensions thru current constitutional preparations and mechanisms, to guard the sovereignty and freedom of the judiciary and to give protection to judges from govt interference.
“Your govt has constitutional and global tasks to advertise population self belief within the judiciary and assure the rule of thumb of regulation. We might be thankful if the really useful measures are taken inside of seven days of the receipt and/or e-newsletter of this letter. If we have now now not heard from you by way of later, SERAP shall believe suitable criminal movements to compel your govt and the lawyers normal of the 36 states to conform to our request within the population passion.
“The reports that members of the executive in the FCT and across several states are giving cars and houses to judges appear to take place without following any constitutional or procedural process, which may have a chilling effect on the rule of law, access to justice, and effective remedies.”
The organisation implored Tinubu to “ensure that the Federal Executive Council (FEC) under your leadership stops the practice of approving the construction of houses for judges, as the exercise of such responsibility is entirely inconsistent and incompatible with the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and the country’s international obligations.”
“Several of Nigeria’s 36 state governors, including those of Abia, Benue, Cross River, Delta, Imo, Kogi, Lagos, Oyo, Osun, and Rivers, also reportedly routinely engage in the practices of giving cars and houses to judges in their states,” the letter learn, amongst others.