NBA FLAYSJONATHAN OVER SALAMI'S RECALL

By Boluwaji  Obahopo
LOKOJA - Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Kogi State chapter, has condemned the refusal of President Goodluck Jonathan to recall the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami from suspension as recommended by National Judicial Council, NJC, saying the issue did not speak well of the Federal Government's respect for the rule of law.

State Chairman of NBA, Muhammed Musa, who spoke to Vanguard in Lokoja during the celebration of Democracy Day, also regretted that Salami's suspension did not follow due process in the first place, pointing out that the situation had done great harm to judicial independence.

He said: 'NJC has taken the right step by correcting their mistakes. The case was in court when NJC recommended Salami's suspension to the President and he did not waste time in approving same and then appointed another person to act in that capacity.

'Today that same NJC recommended his reinstatement and he declined, pending the final determination of the case. That is double standards.'

Musa also said though NJC was wrong to have recommended the suspension of Salami in the first place, they have been vindicated with his recall, adding that withholding authority by the President does not augur well for the image of the country before the international community.

He advised President Jonathan to look at the issue with diligence and clarity predicated on law, saying if he was not familiar with a particular issue, he should always seek good advice that would not mislead him.