A Federal High Court, Lagos Division Judge, Justice M.N. Yunusa, accused by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission of involvement in an unwholesome judicial conduct with and receipt of financial transfers from Rickey Tarfa (SAN), has been queried by the National Judicial Council.
The query was accompanied by a letter with reference number NJC/F.3/FHC.49/1/421, dated March 16, 2016 and signed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the National Judicial Council, Justice Mahmud Mohammed.
The letter was sent through Justice Ibrahim N. Auta, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, with Justice Yunusa given a 14-day deadline to submit his response to allegations of judicial abuse, compromise and misconduct leveled against him by the Civil Society Network Against Corruption.
CSNAC had in a petition dated December 15, 2015 accused the judge of consistent refusal to abide by judicial precedents laid down by apex courts in granting orders and injunctions against the EFCC.
According to CSNAC, the actions of Justice Yinusa “will undoubtedly serve as a leeway for unscrupulous and corrupt individuals, who will stop at nothing to truncate their arrest, investigation and prosecution by the appropriate law enforcement agencies, to render our criminal law ineffective, as well as allowing corruption fester in the society”.
The organisation had submitted: “The grant of the orders of mandatory and perpetual injunctions by Justice Yunusa against the EFCC is a grave departure from the established principles in the mentioned cases, as laid down by the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal which are binding on the Federal High Court, being a lower court. Honourable Justice Yunusa, by the grant of these orders, has stripped the Economic and Financial Crimes Commissions of its constitutional powers as a law enforcement agency, as well its powers under the enabling law, the Economic and Financial Crimes (Establishment) Act, LFN 2004, a Federal Legislation. It is also a gross abuse of his powers as a judicial officer.”
The organisation further listed some of the cases concerned as: FHC/L/CS/1471/2015 Simon John Adonmene & 3ors v Economic and Financial Crimes Commission filed on the 21st day of September, 2015 before Honourable Justice M.N. Yunusa of the Federal High Court, Lagos Judicial Division; Suit No. FHC/L/CS/487/14 – FRN v. Michael Adenuga; Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1342/15 – Senator Stella Odua v. AG Federation, EFCC, ICPC and IGP; Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1285/15 – Jyde Adelakun & Anor v. Chairman EFCC & Anor; Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1445/15 – Dr. Martins Oluwafemi Thomas v. EFCC; Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1269/15 – Honourable Shamsudeen Abogu v. EFCC & Ors; Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1012/15 – Hon. Teeth Dauzia Loya v. EFCC.
In the query, Justice Muhammed said: “I forward herewith a petition dated 21st December, 2015 against you by Mr. Olanrewaju Suraju, Chairman, Civil Society Network Against Corruption, on the above subject matter. The petition speaks for itself. I shall be glad to have your comments within 14 days from the date of your receipt of this letter, please.”
Yunusa response was still being awaited as at press time.
The petition by CSNAC reads in full:
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