Prominent legal practitioner Jibrin Samuel Okutepa has voiced a passionate call for the Nigerian judiciary to assert and protect its independence.
In a post on social media, he emphasised the importance of the judiciary defending the sanctity of its orders and judgments to earn the government’s and individuals’ respect.
Okutepa argued that when the judiciary issues orders, it must not waver or grant indulgences to those who disregard its rulings.
His words:
”Where the judiciary dances round its orders and grants favourable orders and or gives indulgence to those who treat its orders and judgments with disdain, then the coercive and the compendium of judicial powers to enforce its orders as set out under section 6 of the 1999 constitution become impotent and largely not of any values to the beneficiaries of any order or judgments it gives.
”The judiciary must protect itself and defend its orders by avoiding dancing around issues under hybrid technical approach, which sometimes seems too mechanical that is devoid of any utilitarian justice.
”No one gets ìndependence on platter of gold. It is only the judiciary that can protect itself from contempt its orders are being held in this country.
It is only the judiciary that can put an end to the taunting or impunity its orders are being treated by the power that be.
”Even in the military era, the judiciary was firm in protecting itself from executive lawlessness. You cannot be in disobedience of court orders and be given equitable indulgence.
”While lawyers do their best to defend court orders and to enforce it, the judiciary must avoid any act or give any decision in sabotage of its orders.”
Okutepa underscored the importance of enforcing court orders and earning respect for judicial decisions, which he believes is vital in Nigerian society.
He advocated for the judiciary to defend its orders and not aid parties in disobedience.
He also suggested that when judicial decisions are not respected, it is appropriate for the judiciary to demand obedience.