NBA writes Oyo governor, CP, others

By Dolapo Ekanade - 05.05.2008

Following the recommendation for the removal of the Oyo state Chief Judge, Justice Isaiah Olakanmi and the suspension of Justice Iyabo Yerima by the National Judicial Council (NJC), the Ibadan branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has written to the state governor, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, asking him to respect the consti-tution by acting on the reco-mmendation.

The bar also issued three other letters dated April 23, 2008, jointly endorsed by the branch chairman, Messrs Oba-funso Ogunkeye and secretary, Olufemi Akinto-miwa respectively to the Oyo State Police Commi-ssioner, the Attorney General and Commis-sioner for Justice and all the judges of the state bench.

According to the letters, the branch reached a resolution during an extra ordinary general meeting held on March 31, 2008 that the letters be issued.

The letter to the governor called on him to “ uphold in every circumstance by immediately acting on the recommendation of the NJC in respect of Honourable Justice I.S Yerima and also respect and comply with the decision of the NJC not to recognise Hon. Justice I.O Lakanmi as a judicial officer and the Chief Judge of Oyo State without delay.”

In the letter written to the bench, the bar called on judges having sworn to uphold and defend the same constitution, “should desist from acts which are in the violation or condone the further violation of the Constitution by Honorable Justice I.O Olakanmi.

“This commitment by our understanding can be exhibited and made to bare by refraining from carrying out judicial and\or administrative functions which flow from Hon. Justice I.O Olakanmi.”

According to the letter addressed to the Commi-ssioner of Police, the bar called on the police to urgently “ withdraw the police orderly and security attached to Honourable Justice I.O Olakanmi, investigate the foregoing criminal allegations against him and cause Honourable Justice I.O. Olakanmi to be arrested and charged to court.”

It will be recalled that the NJC, a body responsible for carrying out recommen-dations, appointments and exercising control over judicial officers, had since declared that the embattled Chief Judge and Justice Yerima were no longer judicial officers on its pay roll.