The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Yenagoa Branch has condemned remarks allegedly made by Commissioner of Police (CP) Francis Idu, who is reported to have issued threats and disparaging comments against the judiciary and Justice S.W. Amadubogha of the Bayelsa State High Court.
The CP reportedly criticized Justice Amadubogha for a judgment that acquitted an accused kidnapper, and was alleged to have stated that he would have ordered the judge’s arrest if not for the advice of his subordinates.
In response to these allegations, Barrister Somina Johnbull, the chairman of the NBA Yenagoa branch, issued a statement denouncing the CP’s comments. Johnbull described the remarks as an abuse of Idu’s office and questioned his suitability to hold the position of Commissioner of Police.
Johnbull said: “The open attack on the justice system and Justice Amadubogha is condemnable and unmask an attempt to intimidate and stampede the Judiciary which all men and women of goodwill ought to stand up to condemn.”
“Cases are decided only on the strength of the admissible evidence tendered and evaluated by the Court. If CP Idu is dissatisfied about the judgment, the civilised thing to do is to lodge an appeal against the judgment, not to demonise the Judge in a media conference.”
“It is even more shocking that CP Idu boasted that he would have ordered the arrest of Justice Amadubogha! What ab effrontery!”
“However, CP Idu ought to know that whatever office he occupies, the law is higher than him. The machinery of civil and criminal processes cannot be activated against a Judge for acts done in an official capacity. The Supreme Court in FRN v Nganjiwa (2022) 17 NWLR (PT 1860) 407 has ex cathedra and stated that this position loudly and same binds CP Idu.”
“Unfortunately, we have just been informed that on account of the judgment delivered which displeased CP Idu, the police orderly of Justice Amadubogha has been recalled. We call on the police authorities to restore the security courtesies of Justice Amadubogha forthwith.”
The NBA chair noted that the action of CP Idu was contrary to the Police Act and deviated from the exemplary and dignifying conduct of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Johnbull said: “We shall promptly forward the press report of CP Idu to the President as well as the National Executive Committee of the NBA for attempting to cow judges in Bayelsa State and railroading them to give judgments that would only be complimentary to him.”
“CP Idu is hereby called upon to either make a disclaimer, if he was wrongly quoted or render a public apology for his unfortunate outburst against the Judiciary.”
