NBA calls for suspension of affected judges

Following the

According to the NBA president, Abubakar Mahmud, the affected judges across the nation should "proceed on compulsory leave until their innocence is fully and completely established."

Speaking at an event in Abuja on Thursday, October 20, 2016, Mahmud stressed that it was necessary for the NJC to take the step in other to safeguard the public image and sanctity of the courts.

Mahmud said: “In the interim however, particularly having regards to what appears to an ongoing accusations and counter accusations between the some of the judges and other personalities or agencies, it appears to the NBA that it is extremely important that the NJC takes very urgent steps to safeguard the public image and sanctity of the courts.

“We therefore strongly recommend that, without prejudice to the innocence or otherwise of the Judges involved in the ongoing investigations, they should be required to recuse themselves from further judicial functions or required to proceed on compulsory leave until their innocence is fully and completely established or until the conclusion of all judicial or disciplinary proceedings.

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“We believe this will be necessary in order to protect the sanctity and integrity of judicial processes that may involve the judges concerned and safeguard the public image of the institution,” Mahmud said.

On October 8, 2016, over eight federal judges across the country were arrested and detained after a raid by the Department of State Service.