Human Rights lawyer, Femi Falana has condemned the call by the Nigerian Bar Association for unconditional release of the judges arrested by operatives of the Department of State Security.
Falana in a statement said the demand was an embarrassment to the “incorruptible members of the bar”.
The NBA had declared a state of emergency and demanded the unconditional release of the judges.
But Falana said the association had continued to shield the corrupt judges and lawyers, even though it recognizes them.
“In particular, the Nigerian Bar Association which has information on all corrupt judges and lawyers in the country has continued to shield them to the embarrassment of incorruptible members of the bar and the bench.
“The few lawyers who have plucked up the courage to expose corrupt judges and lawyers have been stigmatised and treated like lepers by their colleagues.
“It is on record that when both the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Offences Commission and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission sent invitation letters to judges suspected of corruption they had rushed to the Federal High Court to obtain interlocutory injunctions to prevent their arrest, investigation and prosecution.”
Falana urged the Attorney General of the Federation to ensure that the judges are immediately arraigned.
Comment:At last, a voice of reason from the bar.