<p>Socio-Economic
Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has condemned “the harassment,
intimidation and unfair treatment of the former acting Chief Judge of Kebbi
State, Elizabeth Karatu, who was barred from gaining access to her courtroom to
deliver certain judgment by an official of the Nigeria Security and Civil
Defense Corps (NSCDC), who claimed he was acting based on the directive given
to him by the management.”</p>



<p>The
organization urged the Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC) and
Acting Chief Justice of Nigeria Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad to: “publicly condemn
the unfair treatment of Justice Karatu and urgently refer the matter to
appropriate authorities for a prompt, thorough and effective investigation in
order to ensure that those responsible for this unlawful act are named and
shamed and brought to justice.”</p>



<p>In
a video clip, Justice Karatu is heard saying: “I am the most senior judge in
this court and I am here to deliver my judgment. Can you imagine? Which
management gave you the order? Today is my last day to be here and it is my
right to be here. I have come to deliver my judgment. As far as I am concerned,
everybody in this court is my junior and I need a courtroom to deliver my
judgment.”</p>



<p>Reacting,
SERAP, in a statement on July14 by its deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare and
made available to OpenLife, said: “Barring Justice Karatu from delivering
judgment is an intolerable act of intimidation against the highest judicial
authority in Kebbi State at the material time. Regardless of any allegations
that may have been levelled against her, it is clear that Justice Karatu has
been unfairly treated by the apparently unlawful actions of the Kebbi State
governor, ;<a>Mr Atiku Bagudu and ;</a><a>the NSCDC ;</a>barring her from gaining access to her
courtroom to rule on cases.”</p>



<p>According
to SERAP, “Barring Justice Karatu from gaining access to her courtroom is
entirely incompatible with the sacred principle of judicial independence, and
the failure by the authorities to observe important procedural guarantees here
is a textbook case of executive rascality. SERAP will vigorously pursue justice
in this case, to ensure that this shameful act does not affect the work of
other judges or undermine their ability to freely and effectively perform their
judicial duties.”</p>



<p>The
statement read in part: “The NJC should immediately set up a panel to
thoroughly and effectively investigate the alleged role played by the new
acting Chief Judge of Kebbi State, Justice Suleiman Mohammed Ambursa in the
unfair treatment, harassment and intimidation of Justice Karatu, and if there
is sufficient and relevant admissible evidence, to ensure appropriate
disciplinary measures and sanctions against him.”</p>



<p>“The
ultimate responsibility for the crisis in Kebbi State’s judiciary lies with
governor Bagudu. To prevent further erosion of the constitutional principles of
judicial independence and separation of powers, the governor must publicly
apologise for the blatant infraction of Justice Kataru’s human rights, and
ensure her access to justice and effective remedies, including reparation.”</p>



<p>“It
is clear that the rule of law in Kebbi State is under siege. SERAP urges the
government of governor Bagudu to refrain from any threats or interference that
may further hamper the court’s independence and authority as the supreme
guardian of the Nigerian constitution and legislation.”</p>



<p>“By
putting the court entrance under lock, the government of ;<a>governor Bagudu ;</a>and the NSCDC have obstructed
justice, a form of corruption under the UN Convention against Corruption to
which Nigeria is a state party, as they have apparently unlawfully stopped
Justice Karatu from performing her judicial duties and delivering certain
judgment on the eve of her retirement.”</p>



<p>“The
apparently arbitrary actions by ;<a>governor Bagudu and
the NSCDC ;</a>also amount to an unlawful interference with Justice
Karatu’s private and professional life, contrary to the Nigerian Constitution
of 1999 (as amended) and the International Covenant on Civil and Political
Rights and the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights to which Nigeria is
a state party.”</p>



<p>“The
Nigerian constitution and these human rights treaties afford legal protection
against arbitrary interference by the authorities, including in Kebbi State.
The unfair treatment and intimidation of Justice Karatu, apart from being
incompatible with the rule of law, has had tangible consequences for her
material well-being and her family.”</p>



<p>“Such
arbitrary and illegal actions expose judges at both the federal and state
levels to political and executive pressure, endangering their independence and
impartiality.”</p>



<p>“Under
our laws, judges can be removed only in accordance with an objective,
independent procedure prescribed by law. Any sanctions or disciplinary
procedures for judges must ensure sufficient separation of the judiciary from
other branches of State power and provide appropriate guarantees against abuse
and misuse of disciplinary measures and sanctions to the detriment of judicial
independence.” ;</p>



<p>“Judges must be free to
carry out their professional ;duties without political interference and must be protected, in
law and in practice, from attack, harassment or persecution as they carry out
their professional activities.”</p>



<p>“Courts
play a major role in the fight against corruption, and ensuring that victims or
potential victims of human rights violations obtain effective remedies and
protection, that perpetrators of human rights violations are brought to
justice.”</p>



<p>“But
when judges are unfairly treated, the role of the judicial system to act as
check and balance on the other branches of government, ensure that laws of the
legislative and the acts of the executive comply with the rule of law, is
seriously eroded.”</p>



<p>Last
week, a trending video clip showed an official of the NSCDC barring Justice
Karatu, from gaining access to a courtroom. The judge, who was billed to retire
on July 5, was supposed to rule on cases on July 4, her last day in office. Mrs
Karatu, until her retirement, was the most senior judge in Kebbi State
judiciary. The civil defence official barricaded the road as he prevented the
senior judge and her police orderly from gaining access to the court premises.</p>



<p>Justice
Karatu, a Christian, was appointed acting chief judge of Kebbi State in October
2018, following the retirement of the former chief judge, Bala Mairiga, who
left the bench the same month. The Kebbi State House of Assembly refused to
confirm Mrs Karatu as the substantive CJ after the state governor, Atiku
Bagudu, sent her name to the House, for confirmation.</p>

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