NBA condemns move to dismiss Abia CJ

The Nigerian Bar Association has advised the Governor of Abia State, Theodore Orji to resist the call by the State House of Assembly to dismiss the Chief Judge on his alleged refusal to appear before the Assembly to answer to allegations of misconduct, emphasizing the need for an independent judiciary.

In his statement to the media, the NBA President, Okey Wali, SAN said, “The NBA notes that the Independence of the Judiciary is the bedrock of democracy and rule of law and therefore calls on Governor Orji to reject this invitation to politicise the office of the Chief Judge of Abia State and the judiciary in Abia State.”

He urged the members of the Abia State House of Assembly to exercise restraint in dealing with matters concerning the judiciary in the state, noting that this was coming too soon after the return of normalcy in the State Judiciary, referring to the outcome of the rejection of the recommendation of late Justice Ijeoma Ofonry as Chief Judge of Abia State by the National Judicial Council, by the same House of Assembly.

 “We trust that Abia State Government will be properly advised by the Chief Law Officer of the state, the Honourable Attorney General of Abia State. It is in the interest of all that we have an independent, virile and fearless Judiciary at all levels,” he stated conclusively.

Theodora Kio-Lawson