Order Release Of Arrested Judges Immediately, NBA Tells Buhari

.Condemns Gestapo-Style Operation

.Threatens Consequences

As already pointed out by Checkpointcharley, the Nigerian Bar Association on Saturday condemned the gestapo–style midnight arrest of some judges as it declared a state of emergency in the judiciary.

The declaration of the state of emergency was made this evening in Lagos by the NBA President, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN).

Mahmoud addressed the press alongside four past presidents of the association – Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Dr. Olisa Agbakoba (SAN); Mr. J.B. Daudu (SAN) and Augustine Alegeh (SAN). They also asked President Muhammadu Buhari to order the release of the arrested judges immediately.

Mahmoud pointed out that it was not the responsibility of the DSS to arrest judges and  described the DSS action as an unconstitutional means of intimidating the judiciary and undermining its independence.

He announced the constitution of a crisis management team, comprising past NBA presidents to engage with the government.

Mahmoud said, “I want to emphasise again that we are not under military rule and we cannot accept this unholy event and Gestapo-style operation.

“We, therefore, call on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately caution all the  state security agencies and to respect the rule of law and to respect due process.

“Any issues affecting the judicial officers, there are established procedures for handling them and we demand that this constitutional process must be obeyed.

“Given the unfolding nature of the event and the seriousness of the situation, the NBA hereby declares a state of emergency as it affects the affairs of the judiciary and I hereby constitute a crisis management team, comprising all past presidents of the association.

“I want to, on behalf of the association, make the very following clear and unequivocal demands: we demand the immediate and unconditional release of all the judges abducted from about 9pm yesterday (Friday).

“The release must be done immediately and without any conditions. Two, we demand that the Department of State Services should limit itself to its statutory and constitutional responsibilities.

“I’ll be meeting with the CJN later tonight or tomorrow. There will be consequences should these demands are not met.”