The Yenagoa branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has condemned what it termed the reckless statement attributed to the State Commissioner of Police, CP Francis Idu against a serving Judge, Justice S. W. Amadubougha.
The NBA in a statement made available to journalists in Yenagoa said Idu allegedly made threats and disparaging comments against the Judiciary and Justice Amadubougha of the State High Court.
According to the statement signed by the chairman of the NBA, Yenagoa branch, Mr. Somina Johnbull, the Police boss during a media parley with newsmen was reported to have descended heavily on Justice Amadubogha for delivering a judgment which freed an accused kidnapper.
The statement read: "The Commissioner of Police further stated that contemptuously that he would have ordered for the arrest of the Judge, if not for the advise of his subordinates.
"The statement by the CP Idu, if true, is not only an abuse of his office but also, and this is with the greatest respect, questions his suitability to occupy the exalted Office of Commissioner of Police.
The open attack on the justice system and Justice Amadubogha is condemnable and unmask an attempt to intimidate and stampede the Judiciary which all men and women of goodwill ought to stand up to condemn."
The NBA Chairman explained that cases are decided only on the strength of the admissible evidence tendered and evaluated by the Court, adding that if CP Idu was dissatisfied about the the judgment, "the civilized thing to do is to lodge an appeal against the judgment, not to demonize the Judge in a media parley."
The statement read further: "CP Idu ought to know that whatever office he occupies, the law is higher than him. The machinery of civil and/criminal processes cannot be activated against a Judge for acts done in official capacity. The Supreme Court in FRN v NGANJIWA (2022) 17 NWLR (PT 1860) 407 has ex cathedra, stated that this position loudly and same binds CP Idu.
"Unfortunately, we have just been informed that on account of the judgment delivered which displeased, CP Idu, the Police Orderly of Justice Amadubogha has been recalled. We call on the Police authorities to restore the security courtesies of Justice Amadubogha, forthwith.
"We note that the action of CP Idu is contrarian to the Police Act and deviates from the exemplary and dignifying conduct of Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
"We shall promptly forward the press report of CP Idu to the President as well as the National Executive Committee of the NBA for attempting to cower Judges in Bayelsa State and railroading them to give judgments that would only be complimentary to him.
"CP Idu, is called upon to either make a disclaimer, if he was wrongly quoted or render a public apology for his unfortunate outburst against the Judiciary."
