The Attorney General of the
Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, SAN, has disclosed that the
Federal Government has commenced investigation into the incident that happened
between the operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS) and Omoyele
Sowore, Convener, #RevolutionNow protest, at the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Malami made the disclosure on
Wednesday while speaking with newsmen shortly after he visited the Chief Judge
of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho and the President, National
Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benedict Kanyip.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)
recalls that the DSS operatives had rearrested Sowore after the court
proceeding on Dec. 6.
He, however, said his visit to
the Chief Judge was not over Sowore’s case but to congratulate Justice Tsoho on
his confirmation by the Senate as the substantive Chief Judge of the Federal
High Court.
“Generally, the case of Sowore is
certainly not an exception. So, I cannot be here for an exclusive case,” he
said.
Asked if he was worried by the
DSS’ conduct, Malami said, “Whatever affects the integrity of the court is a
worrisome issue for us.
“But then, I can never be
preemptive of an incident over which I was not a live witness.
“But one thing I am certain of is
that the government has put in place mechanism for investigation of the
reported incident.
“So, I would not like to be
preemptive in terms of a conclusion, one way or the other, without allowing the
consummation and conclusion of the investigation process.”
Also responding to questions on
the matter, he said, “I think it is about commitment to the sanctity of the
judiciary and the judicial system.
“As a government, we have
established a tradition of respect and interest to the independence of the
judiciary.”
The minister also paid a courtesy
visit to the President, National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benedict Kanyip,
on his confirmation as substantive head of the court.
Malami pledged the Federal
Government’s support to Kanyip towards achieving his mandate.
According to him, the Federal
Government is committed to the independence of the judiciary and we are looking
at the possibility of coming up with an Executive Order to strengthen the
judiciary independence.
Kanyip, who thanked the minister
for the visit, said the major challenge facing the court was how to reduce the
trial time because justice delay is justice denied.
He assured the minister that the
court would continue to live up to its expectation on labour and employers’
related matters.
(NAN)
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