In order to stop who seem to be politicians move to influence the outcome of electoral disputes, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmood Mohammed, has barred politicians from his residence and office.
He also instructs that his security detail from Department of State Service and police orderly will now be part of any discussion he will hold with politically exposed lawyers who want to have audience with him.
Mohammed has also refused to meet with governors and legislators with outstanding petitions against them at election tribunals or with court cases generally
The Nation reports that this directive became necessary as there seem to be moved by some petitioners to drag the Judiciary into politics.
The CJN and justices of the Supreme Court are not happy at the row generated by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike’s visit to the CJN’s office in Abuja .
Nyseom’s visits had generated heated arguments in the polity as political analysts seen it as a move that could create a political backlash for the Judiciary.
According to a source, who pleaded anonymity, said the CJN warned his aides and household members not to allow politicians access to him.
The source stated: “Except for his fellow judicial officers, relations and friends, the CJN has banned politicians from visiting his residence. He has limited all transactions or relationship to his office.
“The CJN has also made it a policy to invite a member of the security operatives or aides in his office to henceforth be part of any interaction with Politically-Exposed Lawyers seeking audience with him.
“Once any lawyer is suspected to have come to solicit favour, security agents will now be called upon to witness such an audience.”
It also gathered that the CJN has decided to limit courtesy visits by public officials.
“The new guidelines take immediate effect. The position of the CJN remains the same that the Judiciary must be insulated from politics.
“As a matter of fact, what the public did not know is that the CJN deliberately avoided meeting with Governor Nyesom Wike to avoid dragging the Judiciary into the murky waters of politics.”
The CJN has also advised judges to stay away from politicians to be able to discharge their duties without fear or favour.
Governor Nyesom Wike visits to the CJN has generated controversy across the country as some people deduced that his visits could be connected to his pending case at the tribunal.
Mohammed has also refused to meet with governors and legislators with outstanding petitions against them at election tribunals or with court cases generally
The Nation reports that this directive became necessary as there seem to be moved by some petitioners to drag the Judiciary into politics.
The CJN and justices of the Supreme Court are not happy at the row generated by Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike’s visit to the CJN’s office in Abuja .
Nyseom’s visits had generated heated arguments in the polity as political analysts seen it as a move that could create a political backlash for the Judiciary.
According to a source, who pleaded anonymity, said the CJN warned his aides and household members not to allow politicians access to him.
The source stated: “Except for his fellow judicial officers, relations and friends, the CJN has banned politicians from visiting his residence. He has limited all transactions or relationship to his office.
“The CJN has also made it a policy to invite a member of the security operatives or aides in his office to henceforth be part of any interaction with Politically-Exposed Lawyers seeking audience with him.
“Once any lawyer is suspected to have come to solicit favour, security agents will now be called upon to witness such an audience.”
It also gathered that the CJN has decided to limit courtesy visits by public officials.
“The new guidelines take immediate effect. The position of the CJN remains the same that the Judiciary must be insulated from politics.
“As a matter of fact, what the public did not know is that the CJN deliberately avoided meeting with Governor Nyesom Wike to avoid dragging the Judiciary into the murky waters of politics.”
The CJN has also advised judges to stay away from politicians to be able to discharge their duties without fear or favour.
Governor Nyesom Wike visits to the CJN has generated controversy across the country as some people deduced that his visits could be connected to his pending case at the tribunal.
