Justice-Nigeria - The Judicial Crisis Committee set up by the Nigerian Bar Association to look into allegations of corruption against the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Aloysius Katsina-Alu, and the President of the Court Appeal, Ayo Isa Salami, has called for assistance from the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) for a successful inquiry into the scandal. The committee on Tuesday, appealed to the ICPC to make available any information or evidence of corruption against any member of the judiciary or the legal profession in the country. Chairman of the committee, Okpoko, made the request when he led an eight-man delegation to the headquarters of the anti-graft agency on Tuesday.

He stressed that the NBA was embarrassed by the allegations of corruption against the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the President of the Court Appeal, which have recently emerged.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria noted that his committee was handling the allegations with utmost seriousness, adding that the sanctity and reputation of the two institutions were at stake.

He explained that his committee has the moral and social responsibilty to find out the truth and come out with definitive findings, appealing for assistance that would enhance the committee's successful execution of its mandate.

Receiving the members of the judicial committee, Secretary of ICPC, Elvis Oglafa, who stood in for the acting chairman of the commission, pointed out that because of the symbiotic relationship between the ICPC and the judiciary, any crisis within the judiciary would ultimately affect the commission's work.

He commended the NBA for setting up the committee and promised to render the necessary assistance.

The ICPC secretary revealed that the commission's focus for 2011 was to fight institutional corruption through system study and review. He accused some Federal Departments and Agencies of generating revenue and not remiting the same into the coffers of the Federal Government, warning that the commission will take appropriate action on any defaulting Agency.

Alexandra Mede

Daily Independent/23/03/2011