… video a depiction of the low regard for the law
You could almost mix up the two names. Elizabeth Kafaru and Elizabeth Karatu.
The later was a household name in Nigeria in the 1990s. She was a household name because of her knowledge of healing the body with herbs. Many followed her teachings with great results. She was a master in her own right. The former (Elizabeth Karatu ) is today nearly a household name. Not on account of the legal sagacity for which she has been known for over 30 years. Not for the healing she has brought countless minds and souls through her judgments or soundness of her reasoning but for the most banal reasons!
A couple of days ago, a video emerged online where an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) prevented Hon. Justice Elizabeth Karatu from entering the courtroom. Many have condemned the action.
In a press statement signed by its National President, Rhoda Prevail Tyoden, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) called for an end to the intimidation and harassment of judicial officers all over the country and for further investigations to be made into the incident.
Another group, Women for Women Community (W4Wc) in Nigeria has expressed sadness that the entire saga has assumed religious and gender coloration. Earlier the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) denounced the conduct stressing that it has launched an investigation into the matter.
Restating the Independence of the Judiciary as a separate arm of government, NBA urged agencies under the Executive arm to desist from intruding or doing things that would amount to unlawful interference with judicial functions and perversion of justice.
In the letter, addressed to the Governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, W4Wc said the escalation of this dispute was unfortunate given the fact that with the low participation of women in governance across Nigeria, yet another woman is being subjected to such twists and bends in the twilight of her career.
Meanwhile FIDA in its release reiterated that: “The video is a depressing depiction of the lowly regard that is had for the law and for the judicial arm of government, in this country.”
“Nigeria is disheartened by the viral video which shows Justice Elizabeth Karatu, Justice of the High Court of Kebbi State, being prevented from entering the courtroom by a staff of the Civil Defense Corps. The video is a depressing depiction of the lowly regard that is had for the law and for the judicial arm of government, in this country.
“In the viral video, Justice Karatu can be heard explaining to the Corps officer that she only wanted to deliver her judgements as she still had one more day before her retirement was to take effect, to which the officer responds that he is working on instructions from management and that she should speak to them. As a result, Justice Karatu was prevented from entering the court and consequently, innocent people were denied their right to a prompt and fair trial.
“In response to the video, the Commandant General of the Civil Defense Corps, Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu has said that the Corps officer was only trying to prevent the court room from being vandalised, as the court room was under lock and key. It is contended that such an excuse is belittling of the Judge’s position in the court. It is worth noting that a few months ago, Justice Karatu was denied confirmation as Chief Judge of Kebbi state on allegations that her primary school certificate was altered. Alternative allegations suggest her denial was based on her religious beliefs, since she is a Christian and the people of Kebbi State are predominantly Muslim.
“As is stated in the preamble of the Code of Conduct for judicial officers, “an independent, strong, respected and respectable Judiciary is indispensable for the impartial administration of Justice in a democratic State”. The treatment of the most senior judge in the state, a day before her retirement, highlights a lack of respect and regard for her position as judicial officer of the state. The saga surrounding the denial of Justice Karatu’s appointment, coupled with the embarrassing treatment depicted in the video point to the larger issue of the denigration of the judiciary in Nigeria. The viral video just throws light on how the integrity and high status on the third arm of government is being ridiculed.
“As an organisation with a mandate to promote, protect and preserve the rights of women and children, FIDA Nigeria further contends that the treatment of Justice Karatu also points to the marginalisation and discrimination against women which is evident in various spheres of the Nigerian society. Unfortunately, the courts of justice are not even exempt from this. From female judges like Justice Nyako being divested of cases as a result of their husbands trials, to female judges like Justice Karatu who are hardhanded out of office, reports suggest that the treatment of female judges has been discriminatory. FIDA Nigeria uses this opportunity to call for an end to the discriminatory and disrespectful treatment meted out on Justice Karatu and other female judges in Nigeria.
FIDA Nigeria joins the Nigerian Bar Association in calling for an end to the intimidation and harassment of judicial officers all over the country and for further investigations to be made into the incident.”
W4Wc in the 7th July 2019 letter with the heading “The Matter of Justice Elizabeth Karatu” made a number of observations and recommendations.
“That Justice Elizabeth Karatu has served her entire productive life in the service of the Kebbi state government and has no other constituency to seek redress and/or recognition from.
“That the alleged accommodation given to her by you is indication that she was fully qualified to serve as chief judge of kebbi state as and when the preceding CJ retired.
“That her failure to be so appointed for the reasons alleged, seems to have precipitated a chain of unprofessional responses culminating in her Lordship being physically prevented from exercising her duties before finally bowing out from the judiciary this month.
“That we are saddened by the fact that the public discussion of what happened has assumed the coloration of religion and gender, thereby putting what started as a matter of confirmation of appointment as Chief Judge of Kebbi state into political over drive.
“We condemn the escalation of this internal dispute and the fact that with the low participation of women in governance across Nigeria, yet another woman is being subjected to such twists and bends in the twilight of her career.
“We urge you in the light of the above, the cordial relations with the judiciary and this concerns this issue has generated across the country, to show decisive leadership by ensuring that this matter is not drawn out any further and Justice Karatu receives her full entitlements as a Chief Judge of Kebbi state (whether acting or not).
“Notably, we observe that this dispute benefits nobody, nor is her further subjection to humiliation healthy for the system and intergovernmental relations particularly, where her intervention has become very toxic.
“Lastly your Excellency, Women 4 Women community is open to discuss this matter in further details and will be asking some of our high profile leaders to engage and break the deadlock to meaningful and inclusive communication.”