Some members of the Lagos State House of Assembly have applauded the National Judicial Council (NJC) for the reinstatement of Justice Ayo Salami as the President of the Court of Appeal.
The lawmakers made their comments in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday in Lagos.
In his reaction, Mr Rotimi Abiru, the Deputy Chief Whip, said that by the decision the NJC had upheld the rule of law and justice.
Abiru said that the judiciary had awakened the common man and given him hope “after the hope in the nation’s judicial system was dashed when Salami was suspended’’.
“If people lose confidence in the judiciary it will lead to a total collapse in governance,’’ he said.
Abiru said Justice Salami demonstrated that he is a man of good character and integrity by the manner in which he went about seeking redress, added that his reinstatement was another triumph of justice over maladministration.
He appealed to judicial officers not to allow the judiciary to be politicised.
“People with political leanings and some brought to the Bench through patronage should not be allowed to politicise our judicial system.
“The Bench must be reserved for men and women of integrity that can be relied upon at any time,’’ he said.
Mr Olumuyiwa?Jimoh (ACN-Apapa II) gave kudos to the NJC for its decision to recall Salami.
“The action goes to prove that `conscience is an open wound that only truth can heal`.
“I hail the NJC for its decision because it will restore the common man’s hope in the judiciary in our country,’’ he said.
The lawmaker charged all lovers of democracy and the rule of law, including the learned members of the Bench and Bar, to take a cue from Salami’s courage.
Another lawmaker, Mr Segun Olulade (ACN –Epe II) said the NJC acted courageously.
Olulade said he was excited when he heard of Salami’s reinstatement because the news “exemplified developmentalism for the Nigerian State’’.
He said Salami’s recall was a positive omen for Nigeria’s democracy, adding: “what makes evil to triumph is for all men of goodwill to keep mute when injustice is been perpetrated“.
Olulade commendedSalami for his doggedness, courage, resilience and discipline while he fought for his reinstatement.
He urged every Nigerian to emulate salami’s courage and have the ability to stand by the truth at all times, no matter whose ox is gored.
The lawmaker added that the sustainability of democracy and good governance in the country was absolutely hinged on the readiness of all citizens, institutions and stakeholders to stand by the truth.
According to him, courage to fight for ones rights promotes the salient values and ideals that are critical to democratic governance.
?“The vindication of Justice Salami after a long-drawn legal battle has further helped to strengthen the essence of judicial activism as a bastion for democracy, liberty and the rule of law,’’ Olulade said. (NAN)
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