MAY 23, 2012 BY IHUOMA CHIEDOZIE AND OLALEKAN ADETAYO
suspended President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami and Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Bello Adoke
| credits: File copy
| credits: File copy
The Federal Government on Tuesday made known its position on the decision of the National Judicial Council to reinstate the suspended President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami.
The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Bello Adoke, said the government would not act on the NJC recommendation until all pending court cases in the matter were finally resolved.
The AGF spoke at a ministerial platform organised by the Ministry of Information as part of programmes to mark President Goodluck Jonathan’s one year in office.
Responding to questions after reading a prepared text highlighting the achievements of his ministry, Adoke said commenting on Salami affair was subjudice, as the matter was still pending in court.
Stating the Federal Government’s position on the matter, almost two weeks after the NJC voted to recall Salami from his nine-month suspension, the AGF said, “There has been a lot of misconceptions in this matter.
“The matter is subjudice, the matter is still in court.
“In August 2011, the NJC informed Mr. President that Salami has been suspended and recommended his retirement.
“The recommendation for retirement was put on hold and the recommendation for his suspension was sent to the National Assembly.”
He explained that Jonathan went ahead to appoint an Acting PCA, in the person of Justice Dalhattu Adamu, to avoid a vacuum in the leadership of Court of Appeal.
Adoke added, “On May 11, the NJC was said to have recalled Justice Salami.
“It was not until this Friday (May 18, 2012) that the Federal Government received a letter from the NJC.
“The Federal Government is also in receipt of several court processes asking it to stay action.
“As it is today, the matter is subjudice and no responsible government will try to overreach the court.
“This government is determined to do the right thing.”
He emphasised that government would only act when the pending court cases were finally determined, and expressed hopes that the matter would be “settled expeditiously.”
SOURCE: The Punch - Nigeria's Most Widely Read Newspaper 23 May 2012.
No comments:
Post a Comment