The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, has replied to the judges who accused him of corruption.
REPORTERS AT LARGE had reported how 14 judges wrote a protest memo to Muhammad, whom they claimed had been depriving them of their entitlements.
The justices said their annual foreign training, meant to enhance capacity building for the country’s judicial process, had been blocked by Muhammad.
The main issues put forward by the justices in their letter through a welfare committee were non-replacement of poor vehicles, accommodation problems, lack of drugs at the Supreme Court clinic, epileptic electricity supply to the Supreme Court, increase in electricity tariff, no increase in the allowances for diesel, and lack of internet services to residences and chambers.
They also claimed that while the CJN made provision for his personal staff and family members to travel abroad, only a few judges have had the opportunity under Muhammad.
But responding in a statement, which Ahuraka Yusuf Isah, his media aide, issued on his behalf, the nation’s number five citizen said he had managed the resources at the disposal of the apex court effectively.
“The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammad, would wish to confirm receipt of a letter written and addressed to him by his brother Justices of the Supreme Court Bench.”
“Judges in all climes are to be seen and not heard, and that is why the CJN refrained from joining issues until a letter, said to be personal, is spreading across the length and breadth of the society. This was akin to dancing naked at the market square by us, with the ripple effect of the said letter
“The Supreme Court definitely does not exist outside its environment; it is also affected by the economic and socio-political climate prevailing in the country. Besides that, the Apex Court has, to a larger extent, been living up to its constitutional responsibility.
“When a budget is made, it contains two sides, which are the recurrent and the capital, yet all the two are broken down into items. The federal government releases the budget based on the budget components. And it’s an offence to spend the money meant for one item on another.
For instance, the Supreme Court budgeted this year to re-roof and rehabilitate its complex, built over 30 years ago, and that is being done. The work on the extension of the complex is near completion; the aesthetic lawns and cleanness of the perimeters are being well kept, and security and water supply are adequately provided for his brother justices in their offices and residences. During the period of the pandemic, profound and extra care was maintained to avoid casualties among them as well as the staff generally. It would have amounted to an act of irresponsibility to divert money meant for the above for other purposes.
“The accusation so far, in summary, is that more or all ought to have been done and not that nothing has been done, which is utopian in the contemporary condition of our country.
“Before eight new justices were appointed in 2020 onto the Apex Court bench, there was no additional budget to provide new chambers with an equipped library, legal assistance, residential accommodations and logistics for them. The Apex Court has to make do with the resources at its disposal to meet its needs over time. All the Justices of this Court have at least a legal assistant, except some may opt for more. One of the CJN’s legal assistants (now Justice Aina) was appointed to the Abuja FCT High Court last month, while another (Barr Ramatu) died three months back. Generally, the judiciary is looking to recruit more legal assistants and other supporting staff this year.
“Besides, two Supreme Court justices died within the period under consideration. Both the four retirees and the two departed cost the court some funds in the form of gratuities and allowances.”
