Roundup: Nigerian parliament vows to probe judges arrest with gov't on the defensive

The Nigerian House of Representatives on Tuesday resolved to set up an ad hoc committee to investigate the Department of State Service (DSS) over arrest of seven judges in some states across the country.

Kingsley Chinda, a parliament member, made the call in a motion, which was unanimously adopted by members through a voice vote.

Chinda had in the motion expressed concern over the action of the arrest of the judges by the security operatives, saying that it was an invasion and a violation of the law.

He argued that section 53 sub-section 1 of the 1999 Constitution as amended clearly stated the principles of separation powers.

He recalled similar actions by the DSS in previous times, which had brought to question the statutory functions of the DSS.

The lawmaker said if the activities of the security agency were not checked, the nation's democracy may be tempered with.

"The essence of the investigation which I am urging the house to carry out is to state clearly where the DSS derives its powers to prosecute on matters bordering on corruption," he added.

However, the Nigerian government on Tuesday justified the arrest of some judges by the DSS.

Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, told reporters in Abuja that what happened in relation to the affected judges was mere investigation of criminal allegations.

He said no one is immune to investigation under the Nigerian law, noting that once allegation of criminality was raised, it was the duty of the relevant investigating agencies to carry out investigation.

"The bottom line is that we have a responsibility to fight corruption. Corruption is a crime and nobody, regardless of how highly placed, and is exempted as far as issues that border on crimes and criminality are concerned," he added.

Similarly, the National Association of Nigerian Post-graduate Students has expressed support for the DSS in its fight against corruption and acts that could threaten internal security.

Kingsley Nwanze, the President of the association, expressed the support in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday.

Nwanze expressed surprise at the reaction of the Nigerian Bar Association and National Judicial Council to the arrest of some judges by the DSS operatives. He described the arrest as a "positive action to rescue the nation from judicial rascality''.

The House announced that the ad hoc committee would be constituted immediately to investigate the matter and report back within six weeks.

Meanwhile, the Senate urged President Muhammadu Buhari to call all security agencies to order and direct the full observance of the rule of law in the discharge of their duties.

The call came after deliberation of a motion by Senator Joshua Lidani, condemning the action of the Department of State Service in the arrest of some judges across the country last weekend.

DSS operatives had in the early hours of Saturday, arrested Justice John Okoro and Justice Sylvester Nguta, both of the Supreme Court.

Also arrested was a former Chief Judge of Enugu State, Innocent Umezulike, Justice Namdi Dimgba and Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Others were Justice Kabiru Auta from Kano judiciary and Muazu Pindiga of Federal High Court, Gombe.

The judges were, however, released on bail late Sunday on self-recognition. Endit