…NBA wants strong legal frameworks against terrorism
Victor Ogunje in Ado Ekiti
The Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Ayodeji Daramola, has urged the federal government to find ways to deal with sponsors of insurgency in the country, saying strong backing given to criminal gangs made it difficult for the menace to be rooted out from the system.
This was as the leadership of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Ado Ekiti branch, called for strong legal frameworks on how insurgency can be tackled, describing the act of terrorism as a serious danger to peaceful co-existence among Nigerians.
Justice Daramola, who spoke during the commencement of the NBA, Ado
Ekiti branch 2018 Annual Law Week yesterday, said the country must respect the position of the Supreme Court on how best to fight insurgency by suspending the rights of culprits during trials to ensure the corporate existence of other citizens.
The theme of this year’s week is: ‘The Insecurity Factor in Nigeria’s Stunted Metamorphose to Greatness’.
Those that will be honoured during the ceremony, according to the Chairman of the branch, Gbemiga Adaramola, are: Hon Justice Bamidele Omotoso, Chief Bisi Egbeyemi, Chief Ibuoye Gbadebo and Oluwadare Oluwatayo with prestigious eminent lawyers’ awards by NBA National President, A.B. Mahmoud.
The NBA Chairman also thanked the state Governor, Ayodele Fayose, for building an ultra-modern judiciary complex in the state to ease the administration of justice.
The Chief Judge regretted that Boko Haram terrorists and killer herdsmen had killed many innocent Nigerians with security agencies failing to curb their nefarious acts.
According to him, “These killer groups recruit young and innocent Nigerians who they train in the use of arms for their criminal missions.
“When confronted by security agents, they quickly complain loudly of violation of right of freedom. In the case of Mujahid Dokunbo-Asari vs Federal government, the Supreme Court considered individual rights of citizens as against the security of Nigerian state, and stated that individual’s right takes second place and consideration compared with that of a whole country, as that is how insurgents should be treated if we want to really overcome it,†the CJ advised.
Justice Ayodeji, who however absolved the security agencies of complicity in the ‘senseless’ killings and inability to curtail the perpetrators, canvassed for improved salary for all security agencies in the country for them to be able to perform their duties effectively.
“The hydra-headed issues of criminality and insecurity have eaten deep into the national fabric and have consequently and greatly affected and posed serious threat to peaceful coexistence of our dear country.
“The deleterious effects of the destructive propensity of Boko Haram disregard for human lives and infrastructures, the menace of killer herdsmen and its nefarious activities of the other armed groups have seized the country by the jugular and should be a serious concerns to all of us.
“Any country that lacks adequate security of lives and property will remain undeveloped, and will forever struggle to make any meaningful impact in the comity of nations. Insecurity is a major disincentive to foreign investments which a developing country like ours seriously needs to quicken its growth,†he said.
