President Bola Tinubu said yesterday that his administration would preserve the sanctity of the judiciary. 

President Tinubu stated this during the swearing-in ceremony of Justice Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun as the 23rd Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, at the Council Chamber, Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Justice Kekere-Ekun, the second female CJN in Nigeria’s history, was sworn in following her confirmation by the Senate. 

At the ceremony, four former chief justices of the federation, including the first female CJN, Aloma Mukhtar, president of the Court of Appeal, and other heads of judicial divisions, witnessed it.

President Tinubu underscored the pivotal role of the judiciary in safeguarding Nigeria’s constitutional democracy. 

Tinubu in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, was quoted as saying, ”The judiciary is an important pillar constituting the tripod that holds our constitutional democracy. Indeed, the Nigerian judiciary, at various times in history, has proven to be the moderating force ensuring everyone remains in check. 

By Paul Effiong

Drama ensued yesterday as the House of Representatives Joint Committee on the investigation of disturbing allegations of corruption against the Economic and Financial Crime Commission, EFCC, and the Nigerian Correctional Services, NCS, grilled Marthins Vincent otherwise known as Very Darkman,VDM, and his lawyer. 

A mild drama, however, occurred between the probe panel and VDM, as the former had vowed that he will never talk to the panel as issues raised against him should not be addressed in the absence of Idris  Okuneye also known as Bobrisky.

VDM’s action and body language almost provoked lawmakers who directed that he should either speak out  or stand the risk of being  arrested and detained by the Sergent at Arms officers.

He, however, pleaded that his lawyer, Deji Adeyajnu should be allowed to speak on his behalf but was outrightly rejected by the probe panel.

In another development, Bobrisky’s lawyer, Averosoghene Omuvwie pleaded with the panel to bear with him, as his client is  very sick and  that he should be allowed to speak on his behalf.

Consequently, Omuvwie argued with the panel that it was wrong to have denied him the opportunity to represent his client at the investigative hearing. 

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Chairman of the Joint investigative Panel, Obinna Onwusibe had pledged his readiness to unravel all the circumstances surrounding the corruption allegation against the two government  agencies.

Other lawmakers who spoke during the probe explained that since Nigeria image was involved in the alleged corruption video, they will make sure those behind the allegation are thoroughly  investigated to know the whole truth.

According to the lawmakers, there has been widely circulated video in the social media which alleged that the sum of N15m was given to the Economic and Financial Crime Commision, EFCC to reduce charges against Bobrisky and N10m to the Nigerian Correctional Services, NCS, inoder for him to stay in a diffrent safer centre.

The chairman warned against additional materials outside the allegation on ground adding that such is outside the mandate of the probe panel.

In his reactions, Micheal Anokwa Bensom, the Officer in charge of Lagos Corectional Centre, informed the panel that the said inmate was admitted into the Minimum  Centre in Lagos on February 13.

He also informed the panel that the cross dresser spent only 10 days before he was transfered to the Maximum Centre still in Lagos state.

According to him, those who are in the Minimum Center are first time offenders and those with minor offences,while those transfered into maximum Centres are hardened criminals. 

He explained, while answering questions from lawmakers, that the cross dresser is a man, even as he added that there were special features they found on him such as breast.

Reacting to questions on whether he was on suspension from his office, he said yes, adding that the suspension was on the press release.