Senate’s probe of Supreme Court’s crisis mediatory – Lawan

Senator Ahmed Lawan, the president of senate, Tuesday said the parliament’s mediation in the recent crisis among justices of the Supreme Court would continue.

This is despite the resignation of Justice Ibrahim Muhammed Tanko as chief justice, and following his replacement with Justice Olukayode Ariwoola. Justice Tanko had cited ill-health for his highly suspicious exit from the apex court.

Lawan said the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters, headed by Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, should interact “with relevant stakeholders to address the complaints by the Justices of the Supreme Court”, against the now retired Justice Tanko.

The committee is also directed to “collate aggregate views and positions on the short-term, medium-term and long-term measures needed to decisively address the crisis facing the judiciary, including the immediate fiscal intervention as well as long-term and sustainable budgetary allocations required for the optimal performance of the judiciary, in line with global best practices.”

Senator Bamidele, stating his worry, said that “the poor welfare of judicial officers would affect the delivery of the judiciary in respect of their output and will prevent them from performing optimally.

“The sacred image of the judiciary, which is the epicentre of the temple of justice, should be preserved by the Senate through appropriate legislative measures to safeguard this highly revered institution and prevent it from being ridiculed.”