Senate frowns at invasion of judges’ residence by DSS [updated]

UPDATE:

Senate on Tuesday kicked against invasion‎ of Judges’ residence by Department of State Security (DSS) over allegation of corruption.

When the Debate began on the invasion of judges’ residence‎, many senators absconded from plenary session.

The development was also observed by Senator Godswill Akpabio who said‎ he understands why many Senators went into toilet during debate because they don’t want their houses to be invaded by DSS.‎

‎Although, Senate condemned the invasion of Judges, they rejected request to summon the Director General of DSS, Lawal Daura to explain why invasion of Judges.

When the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki put the question on the condemnation of judges’ residence, it was obvious that majority of Senators did not want to condemn the act.

But the Senate President overruled the ‎majority to condemn the invasion of judges’ residence.

The issue on Invasion came under National Public importance which was sponsored by Senator Joshua Lidani and seconded by Senator Dino Melaye

Both Senator said it was wrong for DSS to invade judges’ residence without recourse to NJC which is the body saddle with discipline of erring Judges.

It could be recalled that Operatives of the Department of State Service between late Friday night and the early hours of Saturday simultaneously invaded the houses of two Justices of the Supreme Court – Justices Walter Onnoghen and Sylvester Ngwuta – as well as two judges of the Federal High Court, Justices Adeniyi Ademola and Nnamdi Dimgba.

Justices Onnoghen, who is the second in rank and the most likely successor to the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria, and Justice Ngwuta are neighbours at the Judicial Officers’ Quarters in Abuja, while Justices Ademola and Dimgba live next to each other at the Apo Legislative Quarters, Abuja.

It was learnt that the DSS operatives surrounded the judicial officers’ houses for hours before they eventually broke in at about 1am on Saturday.‎ 

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The Senate, on Tuesday, has condemned the arrest of Judges by operatives of the Department of State Security [DSS].

The DSS had, between the hours of Friday and Saturday, 7th and 8th October, 2016, respectively, raided the homes of seven judges, arresting four of them.

The raided judges included two Supreme Court Judges, Appeal Court Judge, and High Court judges.

Speaking, Senator Joshua Lidani, in a point of order, raised concern over unlawful arrests of Judges by the official of DSS.

He expressed full support of the senate in the fight against corruption but decried the unlawful approach adopted by the DSS.

“The fight against corruption should be done within the confines of the Law,”Senator Lidani said.

“The senate Supports the fight against corruption but with strict observance to the principles of separation of power,” he added.

Senator Dino Melaye seconded the motion moved by Senator Lidani.

“It is a misnomer, it is absurd for the directorate of the SSS to operate outside their mandate,” Dino Melaye said.

“These are not allegations of rape, terrorism or crime, they are allegations of professional misconduct,” he added.

More details will follow…

raided judges included two Supreme Court Judges

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