PACAC Secretary: don’t blame NJC alone for corruption in judiciary

•Banks, Customs should declare assets, says Owasanoye Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption (PACAC) Executive Secretary Prof Bolaji Owasanoye yesterday said the executive must complement the judiciary’s efforts to rid its ranks of corrupt elements. He disagreed with PACAC Chairman Prof Itse Sagay (SAN), who earlier said the judiciary was not on board in the anti-corruption fight. Sagay had faulted the National Judicial Council (NJC) for recalling some judges accused of corruption, including Justice AdeniyiAdemola, whose case is on appeal. Owasananoye believed the NJC’s statement blaming the Ministry of Justice for not being swift in prosecuting the judges had merit. Justifying its decision, the NJC said the Ministry of Justice officials failed to turn up to compile and transmit records of appeal in Ademola’s case until the 45 days allowed for the exercise expired on May 22. It claimed the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation only filed additional grounds of appeal last Tuesday, three days after the Council directed the judicial officers to resume duties. Owasanoye, in a telephone interview with our correspondent yesterday, said the Ministry of Justice could have done better in the judges’ prosecution. He said the onus was on Attorney-General of the Federation AbubakarMalami (SAN) to respond to NJC’s claims. Owasanoye said: “Prof Sagay’s comments needs to be taken in context of whatever conversation he was having with the journalists. My view is that it is not only the judiciary that is responsible for the present state of affairs with regards to our prosecutions. “The judiciary has taken certain steps. Unfortunately, the Ministry of Justice has not matched them. The statement issued by the judiciary vindicates my position. “Clearly, the judiciary has taken certain steps. It was up to the Federal Ministry of Justice to follow through, but those steps had not been taken, and so we have the situation that we have right now. “The judiciary has responded to say that the ball is in the court of the executive, especially the Ministry of Justice, to do what it said it was going to do. “I totally and absolutely agree with the position of the judiciary. The judiciary has not said they have been completely above board, but they’re saying they’ve made some effort. Can those efforts be complemented? I agree that those efforts need to be complemented.” Owasanoye, however, urged judges to show more firmness in the adjudication of corruption cases by not tolerating delays. “Once we see that, the stretch – the interminable delays to prosecution should significantly reduce. We want to judges who will no longer tolerate nonsense, such as requests for adjournments for unimaginable reasons. “Given the recent statement issued by the judiciary, the ball is in the court of the Ministry of Justice to respond.” Owasanoye said there was an existing law which requires banks and customs officials to declare their assets annually.]]>

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