The Citizens Advocacy for Social and Economic Rights (CASER) has threatened to initiate legal action against the Statistician General of the Federation unless he immediately corrects the wrong impression that has been created by the report of the National Bureau of Statistics which claims that the Nigerian Judiciary and by implication, Nigerian judges are the 2nd highest group of bribe takers in Nigeria.
In a statement issued by the Executive Director of the Advocacy group Mr. Frank Tietie, a seven (7) days’ notice to this effect would be issued on the Statistician General of the Federation following which a legal action would be commenced.
The statement reads:
SEVEN (7) DAYS NOTICE OF IMPENDING LEGAL ACTION AGAINST THE STATISTICIAN GENERAL OF THE FEDERATION TO CORRECT THE WRONG IMPRESSION THAT HAS BEEN CREATED BY THE REPORT OF THE NATIONAL BUREAU OF STATISTICS WHICH CLAIMS NIGERIAN (JUDICIARY) JUDGES ARE THE SECOND HIGHEST BRIBE TAKERS IN NIGERIA
The Citizens Advocacy for Social & Economic Rights (CASER) shall on Monday, the 28th day of August, 2017 issue a Seven (7) Days Notice of an impending legal action against the Statistician General of the Federation unless he immediately corrects the wrong impression that has been created by the report of the National Bureau of Statistics which claims that the Nigerian Judiciary and by implication, Nigerian judges are the 2nd highest group of bribe takers in Nigeria.
CASER views the report as a threat to national security, being an attempt to make the citizenry lose confidence in the all-important role of the judiciary in providing order, peace and stability through constitutionally backed means of dispute resolution.
The said NBS report lacks a foundation. It is an exercise motivated by the sheer overzealousness of unpatriotic persons. The leaders of the NBS have by that report engaged in an activity that is totally outside the purview of both the statutory objectives and functions of the NBS.
Therefore, unless the wrong impression created by that devious NBS report is corrected immediately, CASER shall urge President Buhari or secure an appropriate order of court to sanction the Statistician-General of the NBS. He and perhaps, other staff of the NBS must be punished for embarking on such a reckless exercise that is without value in strengthening the already highly challenged institutions and structure of the Nigerian state.
Furthermore, the coincidence of the report with the release of the report of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime on corruption in Nigeria should be investigated by the appropriate authorities. Supranational agencies of the United Nations should work independently and should avoid using member states institutions to validate their conclusions
CASER does not accept that the Nigerian judiciary is inherently corrupt. We have observed that the general perception of the Judiciary by the Nigerian populace is that of respect and gratitude. The judiciary has staunchly stood for the rights of the common people. There may be few corrupt judges not yet to our knowledge but the Nigerian judiciary boasts of very many courageous and brilliant judges who have given and continue to give very sound judicial pronouncements that have protected citizens’ fundamental human rights against the highly oppressive public service with a class of politicians that have made life very difficult for ordinary Nigerias to attain a minimum standard of living.
Therefore, If by the *4th of September, 2017* , the Statistician General of the Federation does not on behalf of the National Bureau of Statistics, withdraw that baseless report with an apology to the Nigerian Judiciary, CASER shall set in motion the appropriate legal mechanism to protect the integrity of the Nigerian judiciary and seek proper sanctions against the leadership of the National Bureau of Statistics for its unprofessionalism.
Frank Tietie
Executive Director
Citizens’ Advocacy for Social & Economic Rights (CASER)
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