By Comfort Olayinka
Some Nigerians in the United Kingdom have described Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, as compromised and an embarrassment to the judiciary.
The Nigerians in the United Kingdom Monitoring Council (NUK-MC) made this known in a statement on Tuesday to call on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to probe Omotosho over alleged partisanship and misconduct.
President of the group, Dr. Edwards Idaewor, accused Justice Omotosho of violating the fundamental principles of justice, fairness, and equity in Rivers State cases.
According to Idaewor, Justice Omotosho’s actions are driven by his allegiance to certain vested interests that seek to undermine democracy in Rivers State.
He, therefore, said his thorough probe and possible sanction are essential to uphold the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary and help maintain public trust and confidence in the legal system.
“Justice Omotosho’s conduct has raised grave concerns about the judiciary’s impartiality and integrity, as he has become embroiled in political and corruption scandals, manipulating the justice system to serve his own interests,” Idaewor said.
“His judgments have consistently favoured one political party over the other, thereby subverting the fundamental principle of fairness that underpins the rule of law.
“Justice Omotosho’s penchant for delivering contradictory judgments has flagrantly violated the sacrosanct principles of the judicial code of conduct, thereby imperilling the very foundations of the judiciary.
“This egregious behaviour not only undermines the credibility and integrity of the judicial institution but also systematically erodes the trust and confidence of the public in the judiciary’s ability to dispense justice fairly and impartially. His actions pose a significant threat to the very fabric of our democracy and constitute a grave embarrassment to the National Judicial Council (NJC), the bastion of judicial excellence and integrity.
“The National Judicial Council must summon the courage and resolve to confront the challenges that threaten the very fabric of our justice system. Justice James Omotosho’s flagrant disregard for the principles of impartiality and judicial integrity, despite his sworn duty to uphold the law, is a stark reminder of the urgent need for corrective action.
“The National Judicial Council must take decisive steps to restore the integrity of the judiciary by holding accountable errant judges like Justice Omotosho, whose penchant for issuing contradictory and perplexing judgments has brought the judicial system into disrepute and undermined public trust. By taking swift and firm action, the NJC can salvage the reputation of the judiciary and reaffirm its commitment to upholding the rule of law and the principles of justice in Nigeria.
“The National Judicial Council bears the solemn responsibility of safeguarding the rights and interests of Nigerians from the arbitrary and erratic decisions of wayward judges across the country. Specifically, Justice James Omotosho’s egregious partiality in the political turmoil in Rivers State warrants swift and severe disciplinary action.
“We call on the NJC to conduct a thorough investigation into Justice James Omotosho’s actions and to take appropriate disciplinary action. This is not just about punishing one individual; it is about sending a clear message that such behaviour will not be tolerated. It is about restoring public trust in the judiciary and preserving the integrity of our democracy.
“We also urge the NJC to review its procedures and guidelines to prevent such incidents in the future. It must ensure that judges are held accountable for their actions and that they adhere to the highest standards of judicial conduct.”
