Don’t mistake silence of judiciary for stupidity, weakness – CJN

By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad, has warned that the silence of the judiciary should never be mistaken for stupidity or weakness.

Tanko expressed that the third arm of government has had enough of embarrassment of its officers and would not take kindly a repeat of any ugly treatment from security operatives.

The CJN was speaking at the occasion of the 2021/2022 legal year, and swearing in of 72 SANs, held at the Supreme Court.

“On a very sad note, I must say, we were jolted with embarrassingly news of the invasion of the official residence of one of our brother Justices, Hon Justice Mary Peter Odili on Friday October 29, by men suspected to be security operatives, acting on a search warrant .

“The said warrant was purportedly obtained from an Abuja Magistrate court under questionable circumstances.

“I must make it known to all and sundry that we have had enough of such embarrassment and harassment of our Judicial officers across the country and we can no longer take any of such shenanigans.

“The silence of the judiciary should never be mistaken for stupidity or weakness.

“By the nature of our work, we are conservative but not conquered species and should not be pushed further than this by any individual, institution or agency of the government.

“With time, those taking judiciary as a mere weakling will soon realise that it is from the calmest seas we often experience the fiercest storms.

“The time to oppress, suppress and intimidate judicial officers is gone.

“No one, irrespective of his or her status or position in the country, should test our will because the consequences of such unwarranted provocation will be too dire to bear.

“We shall begin to resist any clandestine attempt to silence or ridicule us to oblivion.

“Nigeria, to the best of my knowledge is not a lawless society. We should begin to do things that will project it favourably and rightly too, to the international community.

“No law permits anyone to invade, subdue or overawe any Nigerian citizen in his or her residence with a flimsy, fraudulently obtained search warrant.

“We are making efforts now to ensure that henceforth, every search or arrest warrant must be issued with the knowledge and approval of the Chief Judge of the respective state or federal high court as the case may be,’’ he concluded.