Afe Babalola blasts DSS over arrest of Judges

Chief Afe Babalola

Chief Afe Babalola (SAN), has slammed the Department of State Services over the recent arrests of some judges and raids on their homes.

Babalola during the laying of the foundation of the state new High Court complex on Wednesday in Ado Ekiti 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 stressed saying, “Then why did you then decide to harass their families? The DSS has no right to take over the responsibility of the police.

“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?

“There is nowhere in the world you try a sitting judge. You don’t take a sitting judge to court and the law stipulates that no court process can be served after 7pm.

“It is when the judges are sacked that you take them to court for prosecution. We are not opposed to the fight against corruption, but that due process must be followed.”

Also, the Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, who also condemned the invasion, said that 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. I won’t approach any judge for assistance or to subvert justice in any way whatsoever,” he said.

Fayose promised that the project would be completed in one year.

“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,” he added.