A group known as Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy and Constitution (CDNDC) has said that only the immediate prosecution of Barr. Jimoh Ibrahim, the self acclaimed PDP candidate in Ondo State and Mr. Biyi Poroye, the Ali Modu Sheriff’s factional State Chairman of the party would redeem the image of the judiciary.
The coalition was responding to a “derogatory petition” written against a three-man panel of the Appeal Court by Mr. Biyi Poroye, the party Chairman and political ally of Barr. Jimoh Ibrahim.
According to the letter, signed by its Co-Convener, Ariyo-Dare Atoye and submitted to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and President of the Court of Appeal, the group expressed deep pains that the duo of Poroye and Ibrahim “crossed the red line by advancing a cause and barbarically went personal on the members of the panel.
“The petitioner and his sponsor deliberately embarked on an evil voyage into the forest of lies and concocted falsehoods in a most painful manner to smear these eminent Justices.
“They subjected their reputations, health and judicial records to public ridicule and brought untold discomforts to the Justices by circulating the petition in the social media space.”
“Biyi Poroye and his sponsor, Jimoh Ibrahim did not stop at this unwarranted campaign of calumny against the justices; they further questioned the authorities of the Court to constitute a special panel to urgently look into the Ondo State PDP Governorship Candidate tussle.
“Consequently, we urge the Judiciary and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to thoroughly investigate this matter and ensure that all those involved are punished immediately to preserve the integrity of our judicial system,” the statement reads in part.
Specifically, CDNDC wants the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to invite Jimoh Ibrahim who is a lawyer for questioning over his aleged role in sponsoring the “assault and blackmail of the justices,” warning that such “ignoble conducts,” would be repeated by many other desperate politicians.
While urging members of the judiciary to be strong at this trying period, the coalition however, noted that “the onus is now on the judiciary to act on this matter with dispatch and ensure these men are made examples to serve as deterrents to others.
“Nigerians are eager to see the outcome of your investigation and the immediate prosecution of Biyi Poroye and Jimoh Ibrahim to stop further unwarranted attacks against the bench,” the group insisted.
The pro-democracy group equally expressed its support to the judiciary, assuring the justices that, “we will never allow the axis of evil to prevail in our land; it is our collective responsibility as Nigerians never to allow the Judiciary to fall.”
“We are not unmindful of the fact that the judiciary has its own challenges; however, we will continue to insist that everything must be done within the framework of rule of law and the constitution.
“We urge the judiciary to be strong in the face of intimidation and conspiracy to undermine the independence of the judiciary. You must continue to dispense justice without fear or favour,” the statement added.
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