FORMER Solicitor General of Kaduna State under the defunct Second Republic and Legal Adviser of the Peoples Redemption Party (PRP), Mallam Aliyu Umar, has faulted the suspension of the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami over the controversy between him and the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu.
Besides, the former Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) Chairman, retired Gen. Ibrahim Haruna, said the refusal by the Federal Government to discipline erring leaders of the judiciary was responsible for the eroding influence of the sector in Nigeria.
He said there must be sanction against anyone who falls short of ethical standard and moral value in the judiciary.
Umar noted that Salami's suspension would raise the issue of credibility of the ongoing presidential election petition, knowing fully well that President Goodluck Jonathan is a principal party to the case, while Justice Salami is presently the Chairman of the Appeal Panel.
The PRP chieftain added: "The whole thing, from the beginning, is scandalous, and now that they are suspending Salami and also making recommendation for his retirement to a principal party to the presidential election petition makes the matter worse.
"I don't know why such people (Justice Salami and Justice Katsina-Alu) should be part of this ugly situation.
"In fact, I don't know why such thing that happened should even be envisaged, because the whole matter goes into the issue of justice administration in the country."
Umar argued: "One of the sad and serious aspect of it is that Justice Salami is chairing the Court of Appeal Panel that is hearing the presidential election petition.
"This is an important election petition case that he is chairing. Why are they suspending him at this critical period? People may not see justice in this."
However, Haruna explained that the controversy surrounding Justice Salami's suspension should not have arisen if the government had lived up to its responsibility in promoting ethical standard and moral values in conducting affairs of its judiciary. "We are lacking in enforcing our laws and ethics. That is why this country is in rot. We are not involving moral courage to discipline people or to enforce the law or ethics.
"So, what is happening is a good test. Nobody should be above the law," he stated.
The Guardian