Ekiti PDP lambastes ACN, others over NJC Report
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State has described comments by the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) on the report of the National Judicial Council (NJC) probe panel that indicted the President Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami of lying on oath and unethical “conviviality” with the party (ACN) leaders as criminal and a further confirmation of the probe panel's position that Justice Salami was indeed close to leaders of the party.
The PDP said in a statement issued today by the State Chairman, Chief Bola Olu-Ojo that; "it is sad that the ACN spokesperson, Lai Mohammed, who ought to be answering questions on his unholy telephone interactions with Justice Salami was the one fouling our air with his usual illogical comments on a matter that touches the foundation of our justice system."
Olu-Ojo, who said no amount of "roforofo fight" by beneficiaries of Justice Salami's unethical conviviality can save the embattled Appeal Court President from facing the consequences of his disregard for the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers and Nigeria's laws, noted that; "Only a thief defends another thief and the ACN defence of Justice Salami has shown that they are in the same league."
"Having tried all they could to influence the panel report to no avail, they are now out to discredit the NJC and the Justice Ibrahim Auta-led 3-man panel set up to review the report and recommend appropriate sanctions.
"They are fighting tooth and nail to save a man, from whom they have benefited so much, using their media organs and some gullible lawyers, who can defend the sole proprietor of the ACN, Bola Tinubu even if he
(Tinubu) rapes their wives.
"A judge committed a grievous offence as perjury and unethical relationship with people whose cases he handled, and some characters are saying that it was wrong for a judge junior to him to review his case? If we may ask, does a thief have honour?
"Was Nuhu Ribadu (an Assistant Commissioner of Police then) not hailed by these same elements when he, as chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) humiliated former Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Tafa Balogun?
"Isn't it even painful that in Nigeria, crooks are regarded as saints in as much as they wear the garment of ACTIVISM and PROGRESSIVISM?”
Quoting Rules 1, 2, (A) and 2 (C) (1) of the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers; Olu-Ojo said: “Justice Salami as a judicial officer ought to have avoided social relationships that are improper or give rise to an appearance of impropriety, that cast doubt on his ability to decide cases impartially, or that bring disrepute to the judiciary.
“He should have also disqualified himself from the Ekiti and Osun State matters as provided by Rule 2 (C) (1), which states that; A judicial officer should disqualify himself in a proceeding in which his impartiality might reasonably be questioned...
“Having violated these rules as regard the Ekiti and Osun States matters, which according to the Code of Conduct constitute Judicial misconduct or misbehaviour, he (Salami) should be ready to face the consequences of his actions, and no amount of mudslinging by the ACN and its agents can prevent this.”