Emmanuel Thomas I Friday, May 23, 2025
LAGOS, Nigeria – The Federal Government has been urged not to sell the 753 duplexes seized from former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Mr. Godwin Emefiele.
The duplexes were recently handed over to the federal government by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
But speaking at the 16th Annual Lecture of the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents, NAJUC, Hon Justice Taiwo Taiwo retd said the poor masses cannot afford N30 million or thereabout which is is being proposed for sales of the duplexes, adding that instead of outright sales, the duplexes should be allocated to the poor and suffering masses.
He said that if the federal government insists on selling the duplexes, the names of the buyers should then be published and and the properties sold in a transparent manner.
Justice Taiwo Taiwo also cautioned Nigerians against criticising judgements delivered by concerned judges. He said that obsolete laws and not the judges should be blamed since the judges will only base their judgements on written laws.
According to him, some of the laws date back to the colonial era with sentences and fines now ridiculous based on modern reality.
He alluded to a judge who was suspended by the National Judicial Council, NJC for sentencing a defendant charged under an obsolete law to six months with an option of N100,000 fine and wondered while the defendant was not charged under the Money Laundering Act.
He advocated for abrogation of such law or an amendment by the National Assembly which he said will not happen unless there is pressure from the masses since the present state of the law suits the lawmakers.
Justice Taiwo Taiwo also advocated for Judicial reforms that will make it compulsory for the names of those who apply for Judicial appointments to be published for public scrutiny before they are appointed.
“Lastly, permit me to place on records that most of our laws need to be reviewed, while some ought to be repealed. We have laws that date back to the colonial era still standing in the law books till today. Our criminal law and procedure must constantly be reviewed by the National Assembly and State of Assembly.
“Some provisions of our laws have been declared unconstitutional, null and void by the courts but such provisions are still in the law books and statutes. The Legislative houses ought to set up a body to look into these laws with a view to either amend or repeal them all together in line with judicial pronouncements”, he said.
Earlier, Chairman of NAJUC, Lagos Island, Mr. Olugbenga Soyele said in the past 35 years, the primary goal of the association remains ensuring that the administration of Justice is accessible to all, regardless of their backgrounds, social status and Economic circumstances by being the vital bridge between the Judiciary and the public.
“Our annual lecture series is a testament to our commitment to advancing conversations that shape the future of Justice administration in Nigeria”, he said.
