The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has lambasted the federal government over continued detention of a former National Security Adviser, NSA, Sambo Dasuki, and the leader of Shi’ite movement, Ibraheem El-Zakyzaky, despite court orders admitting them to bail.
Addressing the press in Abuja to commemorate Democracy Day, the president of the bar, Abubakar Mahmoud, said such disobedience to court orders is uncalled for and does not show compliance to rule of law.
“The NBA is appalled at the continued detention of certain individuals in blatant disobedient to court orders.
“Among these individuals are Sheikh Ibrahim El Zakyzaky and his wife, and also Col. Sambo Dasuki.
“While we recognize the seriousness of the charges in which individuals were held, we nevertheless viewed their continued detention as unjustified and contrary to the express court orders. We call on the government to without further delays respect theses orders”.
In the same light, the NBA further called for the termination of investigations against judges who were accused of corruption but have not been charged before the court since the past eight months.
“In the wake of the arrest and detention of certain judicial officers by the DSS, the NBA had taken the view that the judges affected should recluse themselves from judicial functions until the investigation and outcomes of those investigations were determined, we note that nearly eight months after those investigations were launched, some of the judges have not been prosecuted or charged before any court of law.
“This situation is completely unsatisfactory and unacceptable. The NBA calls on the government to terminate the investigation against those judges to enable them resume their work as judicial officers,” Mr Mahmoud, a senior advocate of Nigeria, said.
On the issue of agitation for cessation by some groups in the country, the NBA called for a better way of showing grievances aside the threat to break up.
“NBA affirms commitment to unity and building a strong Federal system. We urged all groups to continue to agitate peaceful existence among citizens of the country”.
On the issue of security, the NBA commended the Federal Government especially in the fight against Boko Haram in the North East and the recent release of 82 Chibok girls.
Speaking on the anti corruption crusade of the government, the bar president noted that, “efforts of anti corruption agency is commendable. New anti corruption strategy has been developed. Stakeholders should help the FG towards the success of the policy. We commend whistle blower policy. The government should fund the anti corruption agencies.
“The lingering issue of EFCC leadership should be tackled once and for all. The investigative agency should be more careful and thorough in carrying out its investigation. Media investigation should not be encouraged”.
