The Talakawa’s Parliament unequivocally condemned the despicable abduction of Hon. Justice Umukoro of the Bayelsa State Judiciary by masked gunmen at Kilimanjaro Eatery, in Yenogoa, Bayelsa State.
The Spiritual leader of the Talakawas Parliament, Marxist Kola Edokpayi, in a statement, said: “This brazen attack on a sitting Judge is not only a grievous violation of his fundamental human rights, but also a direct assault on the sanctity, independence, and security of Nigeria’s judiciary. This is a threat to our national security.
“We therefore call on all Judges, Magistrates, Lawyers, Judiciary and Workers across the Federal Republic of Nigeria to boycott court sittings nationwide for three (3) days as a symbolic yet resolute mark of protest and solidarity with Justice Umukoro.”
He said this boycott shall serve as a clarion call to all security agencies and relevant authorities to take the safety of Judicial Officers seriously and to act with urgency and resolve in securing Justice Umukoro’s immediate and safe release.
“It is Justice Umukoro today, it can be any other Judge tomorrow as the Nigerian Government has failed woefully in the discharge of its constitutional onus concerning the provision of security for Nigerians,” Marxist Kola Edokpayi.
Edokpayi said that Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) guarantees judicial powers and independence. Any threat to a judge is a threat to the very foundation of the rule of law in Nigeria.
He further said: “Section 33(1) of the Constitution protects the right to life and security of every citizen, including judicial officers. The abduction of a Judge in a busy place constitutes a gross violation of this provision.
“Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution declares that “the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.” The failure to protect Judges undermines this constitutional duty and endangers the justice system as a whole. In the 2004 judgment of the Supreme Court in Hon. Justice Raliat Elelu-Habeeb & Anor v. A.G Federation & Ors* (2012) 13 NWLR (Pt. 1318) 423, the court emphasised the imperative of judicial independence and the duty of the state to protect judicial officers from undue interference or intimidation. In line with international judicial standards, particularly the United Nations Basic Principles on the Independence of the Judiciary (1985), Principle 11 clearly states that: ‘The term of office of judges, their independence, security, adequate remuneration, conditions of service, pensions and the age of retirement shall be adequately secured by law.’”
According to Edokpayi, the increasing rate of insecurity affecting judicial officers, both on and off the bench, has become intolerable.
He added: “If a judge can be abducted in the line of duty, then the very symbol of law and order is being violently undermined. The judiciary must not continue to function under fear, intimidation, or silence.
“The Talawas Parliament, therefore, aligns with calls from Civil Society, the Nigerian Bar Association, and other stakeholders who insist that the Judges must be given adequate protection to discharge their judicial duties without fear.”
Edokpayi said: “We hereby demand immediate and safe release of Justice Umukoro, a courageous and harmless Judge, a coordinated and transparent security response from the Nigerian Police Force, DSS, and all relevant agencies, implementation of special judicial security frameworks in all states of the federation and a comprehensive judicial protection protocol approved by the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the federal government.”
The Talakawa Parliament calls upon the National Judicial Council (NJC) , Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and other stakeholders to boycott courts across the country to ensure that the voice of the judiciary is heard across Nigeria and beyond.
“Justice cannot thrive where judges live in fear. We must act firmly, lawfully, and unitedly. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. An injury to one judge is an injury to the entire justice system,” said Edokpayi.
