The Senate has asked its Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters to investigate the arrest of six judges by the Department of State Security (DSS).
The decision was made on Wednesday after the committee told the Senate it would like to invite the judges for deeper insight on the issue.
Chairman of the committee, Sen. David Umaru noted during plenary that it was necessary to invite the judges to provide answers to certain questions from the senate.
He pointed out that by virtue of the 1999 Constitution as amended and Order 96, Rule 37 of the Senate Rules, the powers of his committee to oversee the Judiciary and its powers include judicial matters and judges.
“I am bringing this to the attention of the Senate so that we can take the permission to enable us conduct proper oversight on this matter and invite the justices,” Umaru said.
“This is to enable us to interact with them in order to conduct proper oversight as we are enjoined by the provision of our rules and the 1999 Constitution.”
Responding, President of the Senate, Dr Bukola Saraki, gave the committee permission to proceed with the oversight function as they had already been empowered by the rules.
“You do not need to come to us; you have your powers under the oversight and you should be able use the powers and do whatever you deem necessary,” the Senate President said.
“So, do your job in line with your powers.”
On 8th October, operatives of the DSS had arrested six justices who were alleged to be corrupt.
The judges are John Okoro and Sylvester Nguta of the Supreme Court and a former Chief Judge of Enugu State, Innocent Umezulike.
Others are Nnamdi Dimgba and Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja; Kabiru Auta, from Kano judiciary and Muazu Pindiga of Federal High Court, Gombe.
The National Judicial Council (NJC) had condemned the arrest, describing it as a threat to democracy and to the independence of the judiciary.
