NJC holds emergency meeting on arrested judges

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, has said the National Judicial Council will hold emergency meeting on Tuesday to review the arrest of some judges.
The Department of State Services on Saturday arrested two Justices of the Supreme Court and a number of Federal High Court judges on allegations of fraud.
Mohammed disclosed that the NJC would meet when he delivered his address at the valedictory sitting in honour of Justice Suleman Galadima on Monday in Abuja.
Mohammed said: “It is indeed very saddening and deeply regrettable, the distressing and unfortunate incident which occurred on Friday Oct. 7 and Saturday, October 8.
“However, I must ask all Nigerians to remain calm and prayerful, as an emergency meeting of the National Judicial Council, which will take place tomorrow, will comprehensively look into the matter.
“Furthermore, I must express my sincere appreciation to the executive of the Nigerian Bar Association ably led by the President, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), and indeed, all members of the legal profession.”
The CJN said he was delighted by the prompt action and continued support of members of the legal profession.
On the contributions of the outgoing Justice of the apex court, Mohammed said the country’s judiciary was indebted to him.
He said: “I am sure that the teeming numbers of the legal profession that have benefited from your mentorship will concur when I opine that your contribution to our jurisprudence has been inestimable.
“Our nation’s judiciary will always support you and we are confident that when we knock on your door, you will answer.
“To young members of our noble legal profession, I say that Justice Galadima is an embodiment of hard work, dedication and a single-minded devotion to his maker and calling.
“I am therefore, encouraging those inspired by this wonderful jurist to follow the path of his distinction that he charted throughout his long and distinguished career.”
In his address, the NBA President, Abubakar Mahmoud, said the association was still yet to recover from the shock that enveloped it from the arrest of the serving judges.
Mahmoud said: “We, therefore, urge President Muhammadu Buhari to release those senior judicial officials without further delay.
“The association is completely committed to the defence and protection of its members from any seeming intimidation and illegal crackdown.”
Mahmoud described Galadima as an incorruptible judge, adding that his contributions to the country’s jurisprudence remained legendary.
Responding, Galadima expressed satisfaction on the honour done him by the management of the apex court that deemed it fit to organise the valedictory session which marked his official retirement from the bench.
Galadima said: “It is an honour to have served my country and indeed the judiciary to this capacity as Justice of the Supreme Court.
“I am particular grateful to God Almighty that gave me sound life and wisdom to serve mankind as a judge.”
Galadima was born on October 10, 1946 in Shafa Abakpa Village in the present day Nasarawa State.
His Lordship attended the prestigious Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he first bagged a Diploma in Law in 1969.
He embarked upon mainstream LL.B degree before proceeding to the Nigerian Law School, Lagos,where he was called to the bar in 1978.
Galadima was appointed to the Supreme Court on September 16, 2010.