By M. O. Idam. Esq.
I am not in the least impressed. No thanks to the judgment. The acquittal is, to me, best described as a stale snack, served cold to a dying man who must die whether or not he eats of it. As one of the lawyers who volunteered my appearance in solidarity for the former Chief Justice of Nigeria during the hatchet trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, I could sense that the trial was more or less a premeditated script simply handed down by the past President to achieve an insidious purpose.
Sadly, the Judiciary could not rescue itself from the shackles of the Executive to protect one of its own. Consequently, he descended from that topmost height and fell scornfully. There was no one to pat his back or rescue him. Oh! I just remembered that those perceived to be his allies on the bench had their fair share of persecution. May the soul of Hon. Justice Ngwuta continue to rest.
As a lawyer who participated in some of the proceedings at the CCT, I will not give a nod to the news, nor do I expect him or any member of his family to do so. Unless and until former president Buhari tenders a public apology for that hatchet job against him.
The Judiciary must recover itself from the grip of the Executive by making bold judgments no matter whose ox is gored, and resisting every form of enticement or else, judges will continue to play pawns in the hands of the executive.
Till the apology is rendered, I will not commend the acquittal.
M. O. Idam
