Chief Justice of Nigeria speaks; says Judges’ arrest “deeply regrettable, distressing”

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The head of Nigeria’s judiciary, Mahmud Mohammed, has described the mode of arrest of seven judges as “deeply regrettable.”

The judges were arrested between Friday night and Saturday morning.

Speaking at a valedictory session for Justice Suleiman Galadima of the Supreme Court in Abuja, Mr. Mohammed urged Nigerians to pray for the country.

“It is indeed very saddening and deeply regrettable, the distressing and unfortunate incident which occurred on Friday 7 October and Saturday 8 October, 2016,” he said.

The Chief Justice said an emergency meeting of the National Judicial Council, “which will take place tomorrow, will comprehensively look into the matter.”

“Furthermore, I must express my sincere appreciation to the executive of the Nigerian Bar Association ably led by the President, Abubakar Mahmoud and indeed all members of the legal profession for their prompt action and continued support,” he said.

The arrested judges by the SSS include John Okoro and Sylvester Nguta of the Supreme Court, Namdi Dimgba and Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja; Kabiru Auta, from Kano; Muazu Pindiga in Gombe, and a former Chief Judge of Enugu State, Innocent Umezulike.

An SSS official had told PREMIUM TIMES that the agency could commence the prosecution of the judges from today.