DSS Releases 7 Detained Judges On Bail
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The Department of State Service (DSS) has released seven judges it arrested on Friday and Saturday on administrative on self-recognition
A statement by the DSS in Abuja confirmed that the judges were released on bail Sunday.
“The judges reported on Monday and they have all gone back home. They will be coming back on Tuesday and everything went very procedurally well and civil.
“They were released on bail on self-recognisance based on the fact that given their standing in the society, they cannot run away,” it said
The DSS said the judges were instructed to come back on Monday at 10 a.m., adding they did report for investigation this morning and they had gone back home.
According to the DSS, the investigation of corruption against the judges continues as well as preparation to charge them to court.
The service blamed the arrest of the top judicial officers on National Judicial Council not releasing the judges for interrogation.
“The action was sequel to lack of cooperation by the National Judicial Council such as refusal by the NJC to allow the affected persons to be questioned by the DSS.
“Investigation started some seven months ago, precisely in April 2016,” the DSS added.
The Presidency, had in its reaction to the arrest said that the DSS action was not against the judiciary but against corruption.
But, the some members of the Bar disagreed, describing the action as illegal, unconstitutional and a crackdown on the judicial arm.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Abubakar Mahmoud, decried the DSS action and demanded an unconditional release of the judges.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Mahmoud Mohammed at a valedictory section for a retiring judge said the NJC would hold an emergency meeting on Tuesday on the issue.
The DSS had in a swift reaction said that its action was in line with its core mandate, saying that the service had been monitoring the luxurious lifestyles of the judges and complaints from the public.
Mr Abdullahi Garba of DSS, had in a statement said that the monies recovered included N93,558,000, $530,087, £25,970 and €5,680.
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