Admin l Wednesday, October 17, 2018
ABUJA, Nigeria – The National Judicial Council(NJC) has explained why it listed Justic Uwani Abba-Aji as one of the justices to be elevated to the Supreme Court, stressing that the affected justice has been exonerated of all allegations by anti-corruption agencies.
The NJC, reacted following a publication by the Civic Society Network Against Corruption urging President Muhammadu Buhari, not to forward the name of Honourable Mr. Justice Uwani Abba-Aji recommended to him by the Council for appointment as a Justice of the Supreme Court to the Senate for confirmation otherwise it would challenge the action in court.
The Group had premised its objection on the report of an online newspaper of 16th October, 2016, which featured his name as one of the Judicial Officers under investigation for corruption by Security Agencies for accepting bribe from a Senior Lawyer who is currently facing trial at the Law Court.
But the NJC noted that in as much as the National Judicial Council would not join issues with anyone on this matter, it is necessary to put the records straight.
“Members of the public would recall that sequel to the request of the Attorney-General of the Federation, in 2016, Hon. Mr Justice Abba-Aji and seven (7) other Judicial Officers were directed by the Council to recuse themselves from performing their judicial functions pending their investigation by Security Agency. However, Hon. Mr. Justice Abba-Aji and five (5) others were recalled as only three (3) out of the Judicial Officers then under investigations were arraigned in Court.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Hon. Mr. Justice Abba-Aji has since been sitting in Court and no Investigation Agency has filed any new allegation against His Lordship, in fact, his international passport had been returned to him and he had been travelling outside the country without any hindrance, signalling that the investigation agencies have nothing new against His Lordship. The law of the land remains that no one is to be punished except for an offence established by due process of law”, he said, and re-affirms commitment of NJC to zero tolerance for corruption.
