A group, Access to Justice (A2J), has described the decision of the National Judicial Council (NJC) reinstating Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia as a grievous, staggering, inconceivable misjudgment and one that would ridicule the judiciary.
The group therefore urged the NJC to immediately rescind its decision to reinstate Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia.
The group said the decision will further evoke strong concerns about the kind of Judiciary Nigeria is operates, and whether the NJC as presently constituted, can faithfully function as an accountability and oversight institution.
This was contained in a statement issued yesterday by the Convener of A2J, Joseph Otteh and titled: “Reinstatement of Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia, a Brutal, Agonizing Stab on the “Soul and Body” of Nigeria’s Judiciary”
The NJC had on December 1, 2022 reinstated Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia as Judge of the Federal High Court following the decision of a High Court Judgment quashing the recommendations of the council that led to Justice Ajumogobia’s dismissal.
A2J noted that a high court quashed the council’s recommendations, as well as ordered the Judge’s reinstatement, but insisted that the NJC had ample opportunity to defend its position with a high court press through appellate corridors.
The group berated the NJC for badly managing the Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia case noting that it was the same council that found her guilty of alleged serious misconduct and recommended her removal.
Th group asked: “Why did the Council capitulate so quickly without a contest? And what does that capitulation say about the seriousness of the NJC in maintaining integrity in the Judiciary? “
Access to Justice expressed concern on the development and maintained that the NJC’s decision to reinstate Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia, in the face of serious and damning accusations against her, which the Council itself investigated and substantiated, is deeply unfortunate.
It said the “council’s decision will cast a long, dark shadow over the Judiciary for a long time to come and amplify questions whether the Nigerian Judiciary can continue to legitimately exercise judicial power.”
According to the group, “a Judiciary’s legitimacy rests on the pedestal of public confidence and trust. A Judiciary that cannot offer that trust loses the moral authority to sit in judgment over others.
“By now foisting a Judge with an incredible load of baggage to sit in judgment over cases involving other people, the NJC pollutes the justice delivery process, and violates the rights of litigants to fair trial before a Judge with requisite skills and reputation.
“The Council’s decision is a grievous, staggering, inconceivable misjudgment and plumbs new depths of ridicule for the Judiciary.
“The NJC’s decision badly tarnishes the image of the Nigerian Judiciary and diminishes the image and credibility of all those who serve in the Judiciary, including honest, conscientious Judges and tars them with the same brush used in fixing Justice Ofili-Ajumogoba reabsorption.
“It is such a hugely disappointing decision that it is fitting to ask the government to take another serious look at overhauling the Judiciary in order to save Nigeria’s Judiciary – or what remains of it-, safeguard the rule of law and reinspire public confidence in the machinery of justice”, the group said.