By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
ABUJA — Considering the mounting allegation of corruption against the Judiciary in recent times, the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, has recommended that sanctions against all established cases of misdemeanor by judicial officers should not be limited to administrative sanctions only, insisting that such cases should be referred to appropriate investigative governmental agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, and the Police for investigation and possible prosecution.

The legal body further warned that judicial officers who were at one time or the other indicted or accused of judicial misconduct or corruption, should not be appointed into Election Tribunals, stressing that it is the only way towards ensuring that the confidence reposed on the Judicial system in the country by the citizenry, would not be eroded.

The NBA’s recommendations were contained in a report that was released by its Electoral Justice Reform Committee, EJRC, made available to Vanguard, weekend.

According to findings of the committee on corruption related issues, “the Committee while acknowledging that it lacks the authority/jurisdiction to carry out the term of reference under this point, however, observes with deep concern certain excessive and inappropriate judicial conduct which have exposed the institution of the judiciary and many of its officers to reasonable suspicion of corruption or ignorance, either of which is unacceptable.

“The committee strongly recommends that sanctions against all established/ proven cases of misdemeanor by judicial officers which borders on corruption should not be limited to administrative sanctions only, but should as a matter of necessity be referred to appropriate investigative governmental agencies like the ICPC, EFCC and the Police for investigation and possible prosecution