“There is nowhere in the world you try a sitting judge. You don’t take a sitting judge to court and even the law stipulates that no court process can be served after 7pm,” Afe Babalola, a senior advocate, said in Ekiti while laying foundation for a High Court complex Wednesday.
He said even if the judges were found to have done something offensive, the normal thing was to report them to the National Judicial Council for disciplinary action.
He wondered why the judges were released on bail on personal recognition after the DSS raids, querying the motive behind the move.
“If people have evidence against judges, they should report to the NJC. How can you arrest a sitting judge and take him before a magistrate to try him?
“We are not opposed to the fight against corruption, but that due process must be followed,” he added.
Ekiti Gov. Ayo Fayose, who had earlier condemned the invasion, said even if the affected judges stole “the whole world,” due process must be followed in bringing them to justice.
“If we do not allow due process, the DSS will soon descend on other arms of government and innocent people. They may soon descend on the media and others because of the feelings that they are not doing their biddings,” said Fayose on the occasion.
Fayose had also had a brush with a judge in Ekiti early on in his administration when he had to supervise the beating of the justice, although he now claims he holds the judiciary in high esteem.
Speaking about the court project, he governor said the state decided to build the new court complex because the judiciary deserved respect and due recognition.
“When there is will, there is always a way. We have the vision of a virile judiciary and we will also go ahead to build a magistrate’s court complex after this one. I am also optimistic that the project will be completed on time,” Fayose added.