By Nnamdi Ojiego
The Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has condemned the growing attacks on judges by litigants dissatisfied with their rulings, warning that such actions may eventually cow judges and destroy the judiciary, if allowed to persist.

ACN, in a statement issued in Lagos on Thursday by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said danger looms the moment a judge can no longer feel safe enough to perform his duty because of the fear of being attacked by litigants.

It said a classical example of such attacks was the one that has been mounted by the PDP, with the backing of the presidency, against Justice Ayo Salami, simply because he courageously adjudicated in the election appeal cases involving the Ekiti and Osun states.

”The latest of such attacks is the move initiated by former Ekiti State Governor Segun Oni to compel the prosecution of Justice Ayo Salami for alleged perjury, which has led an Abuja High Court in Bwari to grant Oni leave to apply for an order of mandamus compelling the Attorney-General to commence criminal proceedings against Justice Salami.

”The move by Oni is nothing but a continuation of the persecution of Justice Salami and, coming after a panel set up by the Chief Justice of Nigeria recommended his reinstatement because he was unjustly removed, is aimed at frustrating the recommendation of the panel. The truth is that while Oni may be in the front, he is actively backed by the PDP and the presidency in ensuring that Justice Salami is not reinstated.

The party said it is concerned about the issue because of its strong belief in democracy and the rule of law, and because it was aware that the persecution of Justice Salami is simply because he dared to rule against the PDP in elections the party was found to have rigged.

It however, called on all Nigerians to be vigilant because once the PDP and its cohorts succeeded in destroying the judiciary, their next target would be to bring down the country.