Abuja – The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Ibrahim Tanko Mohammad on Tuesday assured members of the public that there’s no hostility or adverse feelings amongst the Justices of the Supreme Court.
Mohammad who stated this in a statement in Abuja insisted that everyone at the apex court is going about his normal duty.
The CJN was responding to a letter written to him by his fellow justices of the Supreme Court over their welfare and poor state of things at the court.
The statement signed by Ahuraka Yusuf Isah, Senior Special Assistant on Media to the CJN confirmed receipt of a letter written and addressed to him by his brother Justices of the Supreme Court Bench.
However, Muhammad, stated that judges in all climes are to be seen and not heard, saying that his decision was not to join issues with his colleagues.
Muhammad said he decided to break his silenced on the issues raised by the Justices in their 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.”
On the issues of their welfare and general maintenance of the court, the CJN reminded his brother justices that the
Supreme Court definitely does not exist outside its environment, adding 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 to its constitutional responsibility.
“When a budget is made, it contains two sides, that’s 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 for another.
“Take 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 pandemic, a profound and extra-care was maintained to avoid causalities 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 otherwise.”
The Supreme Court Justices, had in their joint letter to Mohammad expressed concern over their budgetary allocations that have not been increased in the last four years.
“We are serving this Country diligently and to the best of our ability. We resolve disputes between the Executive and the Legislature including all manner of disagreements, between governments and individuals.
“It would be a tragedy if the Nigerian Public were to know that we are unable to resolve our own problems internally without going public,” part of the letter read.
The issues raised in the letter include the failure to replace dilapidated vehicles, accommodation problems, poor healthcare services at the Supreme Court clinic and poor electricity supply to the Supreme Court.
The justices also lamented the increase in electricity tariffs, no modified allowances to reflect the increase in diesel prices and lack of internet services in their chambers.
By their letter, the justices called the CJN’s sense of responsibility into question, fearing a potential shutdown of the judiciary due to the raised concerns.
“Your Lordship, this is a wake-up call. Your Lordship must take full responsibility as our leader. You must not concession your responsibility to people who have no responsibility or stake in preserving and defending the dignity of the Institution.
“Your Lordship occupies a position of leadership. We will not wait for the total collapse of the institution,” the letter further stated.
However, Muhammad, stated that the summary of the accusation against him ” 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.”
He explained that before eight new Justices were appointed in 2020 onto the Apex Court bench, “there was no additional budget to provide new chambers with 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 their needs over time.
“All the Justices of this Court has at least a legal assistance, except some may opt for more.
“One of the CJN’s legal assistance (now Justice Aina) was appointed to Abuja FCT High Court last month, while another (Barr Ramatu) died three months back.
“Generally, the Judiciary is looking up to recruitment of more legal assistance 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 forms of gratuities and allowances.”
On the issues of foreign training for the Justices, the CJN said ” two weeks ago, eight Supreme Court Justices were nominated for a workshop in London as the court cannot take all of them there at once otherwise the job would suffer.
“They would be going in batches,” he stated.
Muhammad stated that accommodations are being gradually provided for the few that are yet to get.
“There is none of the Apex Court Justices without SUV and back up cars. If any of them were purchased but refurbished, the external and internal auditors are here in the court to take those that bought them up over it.
“The high cost of electricity tariff and diesel are national problem.
“The Chief Registrar might have budgeted for N300 per litre but diesel is now selling for over N700 per litre and therefore has to find a way around it without even bringing it to the attention of the CJN.
“But there is no way the generator would be put off if the Court is sitting.
“The amendment of court rules is on the process, it has to be critically reviewed to avoid conflict with the constitution and other extant laws.
“Not all the CJN has reviewed the rules in the past. Within the three years his brother Justices mentioned came the pandemic and the judiciary workers’ strike.
“The internet services have been restored to Justices’ residences and chambers, just as some allowances have been paid to them.
“The CJN held a meeting with his brother Justices last Thursday and another one is due to hold this week,” the statement signed
by Isah, SSA on Media to the CJN said. (vitalnewsngr.com)
