IBORI: Group Faults Criticism Of Justice Buba

PHOTO: DISCREDITED FEDERAL JUDGE, JUSTICE IBRAHIM BUBA.

ABUJA, April 17, (THEWILL) - The Niger Delta Youths For Due Process has said comments in the media castigating Honourable Justice I. M. Buba of the Federal High Court Asaba for granting a restraining order in the matter between Chief James Ibori and the EFCC is unfair.

In a statement issued on Friday and signed by Mr. Mike Oghenejabor, the group said, "Our attention has been drawn to various comments in the media castigating Honourable Justice I. M. Buba of the Federal High Court Asaba for granting a restraining order in the matter between Chief James Ibori and the EFCC.

"We wish to clarify that most of the comments on this matter are based on misinformation. The Honourable Justice I.M. Buba will hear the application on Monday 19^th April 2010. The matter was filed on Monday 12^th April 2010. Let is be known that as at the time of this press statement, the case has not been heard.

"It is therefore most disturbing to learn that a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (S.A.N.) in the person of Chief Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, incidentally the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), is quoted as castigating the Honourable Justice I.M. Buba in the gathering of eminent Jurists on the occasion of the valedictory court session for Honourable Justice James Ogebe, the eminent Jurist who had just retired from the Supreme Court after a distinguished career at the Bar and the Bench.

"We consider the statement credited to the NBA President as most unfortunate and at the height of irresponsibility, suffice it to say that this is a demonstration of total disrespect and disregard, not only for the Bench, but for the Nigerian Judiciary."

Continuing the statement said, "If it is true that this statement was made by or on behalf of the NBA President, then, he must resign his position forthwith. His action has brought the Bar into disrepute. Should he fail to resign, then, he must explain why he must not be removed in view of his disreputable behaviour.

"We understand that the NBA President is aware and has in fact been involved in legal matters relating to purchases of shares by Governments, akin to the purchases by Lagos State and Delta State governments.

"The current EFCC claim against Chief James Ibori relates to shares purchased by Lagos State and Delta State Governments in the period between 2003 and 2007. The NBA President has never raised the issue of illegality of the purchase of shares by Lagos State. One wonders whether being a minority is now a crime in Nigeria.

"We are asking the NBA President to explain why he should not resign his office as NBA President. He ought to know as a lawyer that when a matter is pending before a court of competent jurisdiction, there is an overwhelming presumption that the status quo must be maintained," the statement said.