Published By Olukayode Idowu
The Executive Secretary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Tony Ojukwu has condemned the incident on Friday October 29 at Justice Mary Odili’s house as violation of her rights to privacy, integrity of her judicial personality, premises and office.
Ojukwu, in a statement on Monday, said the perpetrators must therefore be made to account for their professional misconduct by arresting and prosecuting them, insisting that the Supreme Court Justice deserves a public apology from those responsible for their professional misconduct.
He said: “These are the only deterrents that can forestall future desecration of the rights to privacy, integrity of the person, residence and office of our judicial officers especially at that level.”
Ojukwu said the invasion of the residence of one of the most senior judicial officers in the country is highly condemnable in any democratic setup, describing it as another affront to the judiciary.
Speaking further, the human rights boss said the judiciary is a very important arm of the government that should not be ridiculed under any circumstance,(and inexperienced law enforcement officers must be made to know this), adding that the independence of the judiciary must be respected at all times. Time has come to punish this kind of professional misconduct by erring law enforcement officers to forestall total destruction of the integrity of judicial offices and the judiciary.
He said: “This should be condemned by all well meaning Nigerians in the interest of our nascent democracy, independence of the judiciary and respect for human rights and rule of law.
He assured that the NHRC will not relent in its efforts to continue to train and retrain the law enforcement officials to always mainstream human rights in their operations.
[11/1, 3:58 PM] Michael Olugbode: Zamfara Attack: NSCDC Boss Condemns Attack on Operatives
The Commandant General, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ahmed Audi has strongly condemned the deadly attack on security operatives, innocent citizens and critical national assets and infrastructures in Zamfara State.
Audi while calling for new approaches, greater commitments and more affirmative actions against all criminal elements threatening the internal peace and security of Nigeria, described the attack as unfortunate.
A statement by the spokesman of the NSCDC, Olusola Odumosu said the recent assault on members of the Joint Task Force operation comprising of Nigeria Police, Civil Defence Corps and Vigilante group where one police personnel and two members of NSCDC paid the supreme price in their brave struggle against terrorism, banditry and kidnapping, was unfortunate.
Audi said the brazen attack which happened in Shinkafi, along Kaura Namoda road, Zamfara State while the operatives were on deployment to checkmate the rising wave of banditry, kidnapping and other heinous crimes in the state is not only condemnable but callous, despicable and inhuman.
He commiserated with the families and friends of those who had lost their loved ones in the “heinous crime” and promised to fish out the criminals and make them face justice.
He however praised the efforts and resilience of the gallant operatives for preventing greater loss of lives and destruction of public property, assuring that efforts would be fully mobilized to go after the bandits, apprehend and deal decisively with them under the full weight of the law.
Audi appealed to members of the public to be vigilant, security conscious and to promptly assist security agencies with credible information that could lead to the arrest of these criminals who perpetrated this despicable act before they cause more havoc in the society.
He vowed that the Corps will not relent in it’s efforts but will continue it’s dogged fight against banditry, kidnapping and insurgency through concerted efforts of well trained personnel, introduction of more training programs and innovative strategies towards the deployment of more sophisticated equipment and improved staff welfare which provides an umbrella of life insurance coverage for all personnel of the Corps.
He said: “NSCDC is a full fledged paramilitary agency of government determined to collaborate with other security agencies in keeping the country safe and preserving the way of life of Nigerians, we are therefore not deterred by these recent attacks but we are forging ahead to make life meaningful for all Nigerians.”