SERAP Compels CJN To Speak Up On Alleged Amaechi’s Visit To Justice Okoro

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has asked the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Mahmud Mohammed, to speak up on the alleged visit by the Minister of Transport, Mr Rotimi Amaechi to Justice John Inyang Okoro of the Supreme Court to curry favour in respect of the Rivers, Abia and Akwa Ibom governorship elections.

In an open letter addressed to Justice Mohammed in his capacity as the Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC), SERAP is seeking explanations on what “he and the NJC knew or had reason to know regarding the report to them on 1st February, 2016 by Justice John Inyang Okoro, Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria on the alleged visit by Mr Rotimi Amaechi, Minister of Transportation to the official residence of Justice Okoro to allegedly discuss election Appeals in respect of Rivers State, Akwa Ibom State and Abia State.”

The letter dated 21 October 2016 and signed by SERAP executive director Adetokunbo Mumuni states that, “We consider these allegations as constituting a serious threat to the independence, impartiality and accountability of the judiciary, and should in the ordinary course of duties, have prompted action from your Lordship and the NJC to wit: undertaking prompt, thorough and transparent investigations, and where there is prima-facie evidence of political interference in the judicial system, to report the matter to the appropriate anticorruption commissions and agencies for further investigation and possible prosecution.”

The letter reads in part: “SERAP strongly believes that the NJC has a responsibility to support judges in dealing with alleged corrupt inducements that are offered or the threats they receive, such as the allegations in this case.”