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JUST IN: SERAP Drags Nigerian Government To UN Over Raid On Justice Odili’s Home

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SERAP

Socio-Financial Rights and Accountability Mission (SERAP) has urged Mr. Diego García-Sayán, UN Particular Rapporteur on the independence of judges and legal professionals, to “put strain on the federal government of President Muhammadu Buhari to conduct a reputable, thorough, neutral, impartial, clear, and efficient investigation into the vicious assault on Supreme Court docket Justice Mary Odili by rogue officers.”

 

SERAP additionally urged him to “ask the Nigerian authorities to make sure that any investigation into the assault relies on human rights ideas, and protected against undue affect. The end result of the investigation have to be made public, and the suspected perpetrators and their sponsors dropped at justice.”

SERAP’s petition adopted the latest invasion of Justice Odili’s Maitama, Abuja residence by armed personnel.

 

Within the petition dated 13 November 2021, and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation mentioned: “The intimidation and harassment of Justice Odidi is a flagrant assault on judicial independence, and apparently geared toward additional weakening judicial independence and the rule of regulation in Nigeria.”

 

SERAP mentioned: “The unconscionable assaults in opposition to Nigerian judges would appear to be a deliberate try by the authorities to exert strain on the judiciary and undermine its independence and authority. These assaults are placing Nigerians’ freedoms in danger.”

 

In keeping with SERAP, “The present investigation by the Nigerian police fails to satisfy worldwide requirements, as it’s neither impartial nor efficient. As such, the investigation is incapable of figuring out all of the suspected perpetrators and their sponsors, and credibly delivering justice within the matter.”

 

The petition, learn partially: “We urge you to push for the adoption of a decision by the Human Rights Council to ascertain a global, impartial, and neutral investigative mechanism into the assault on Justice Odili, and different unresolved instances of intimidation and harassment of the judiciary, and assault on the rule of regulation in Nigeria since Might 29 2015.”

SERAP

“A global investigation into the instances of intimidation and harassment of judges in Nigeria will meet the very best worldwide requirements and greatest practices, and help the Nigerian authorities to take steps to enhance respect for the independence of the judiciary, the rule of regulation, and entry to justice for victims of human rights.”

 

“If not urgently addressed, the assaults, intimidation and harassment of the judiciary could render judges unable to defend the rule of regulation, to offer accountability for the various gross human rights violations within the nation, or to guard the rights of the Nigerian individuals.”

 

“Nigerian authorities have a authorized obligation to take measures to guard the independence of the judiciary, and make sure the security and safety of particular person judges.”

 

“SERAP urges you to go to Nigeria to hold out a mission to analyze instances of intimidation and harassment of judges, assess the independence of the judiciary and the rule of regulation, and to proceed to watch the scenario.”

 

“The proposed go to would assist to help the efforts to carry Nigeria’s justice system in step with worldwide requirements, and freed from political interference.”

 

“Nigerian authorities proceed to fail to totally, impartially, independently, transparently and successfully examine instances of assaults, intimidation and harassment of judges, the very individuals who defend and assure human rights.”

 

“Whereas the Nigerian authorities have arrested among the suspected perpetrators, a minimum of ten extra individuals reportedly concerned within the assault on Justice Odili are nonetheless at giant.”

 

“Independence of the judiciary is enshrined within the Nigerian Structure of 1999 [as amended], and underneath human rights treaties together with the Worldwide Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the African Constitution on Human and Peoples’ Rights to which Nigeria is a state social gathering.”

 

“The assault on Justice Odili shouldn’t be an remoted incident. There have been a number of violations of judicial independence and the rule of regulation within the nation. In 2016, for instance, Nigerian authorities reportedly invaded in the midst of the night time the properties of some judges of the Federal Excessive Court docket and Justices of the Supreme Court docket.”

 

“The authorities have to date failed and/or refused to determine these suspected to be accountable and to carry them to justice.”

 

“An impartial judiciary is crucial to the safety of human rights and respect for the rule of regulation. The ideas of independence are the hallmarks of the rationale and the legitimacy of the judicial operate in each State. Their absence results in a denial of justice, and makes the credibility of the judicial course of doubtful.”

 

“It’s the precept of the separation of powers, along with the rule of regulation, that opens the way in which to an administration of justice that gives ensures of independence and transparency.”

 

“As expressed within the Bangalore Ideas of Judicial Conduct, “Judicial independence is a prerequisite to the rule of regulation and a elementary assure of a good trial.”

 

“In keeping with our data, on Friday, October 29, 2021, some individuals claiming to be troopers and policemen, invaded the Abuja dwelling of Justice Mary Odili. The perpetrators recognized themselves as members of a authorities joint job power, and used a fraudulently obtained search warrant to try achieve entry into Justice Odili’s residence.”

 

“The perpetrators claimed that they had data that “unlawful actions” have been happening within the residence.”