The Attorney General of Nigeria and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami, told reporters that the Federal Government has commenced investigation into the sad incident that transpired, at the Federal High Court, Abuja, between the operatives of the Department of State Service (DSS) and Omoyele Sowore, the convener of the #RevolutionNow protest.

Malami disclosed that on Wednesday while speaking with newsmen a short while after he visited the President, National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benedict Kanyip and the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho.

The operatives of the DSS rearrested Sowore after the court proceeding on December 6th.

He, however, said Sowore’s case was not the reason why he visited the Chief Judge, but to congratulate Justice Tsoho on his confirmation by the Senate as the substantive Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.

(Sowore’s case) is not the only case that the Federal Government is involved. We have multiple cases and more serious cases than that of Sowore pending.

Generally, the case of Sowore is certainly not an exception. So, I cannot be here for an exclusive case,

he said.

When asked if he found the conduct of the DSS’ disturbing, Malami said,

Whatever affects the integrity of the court is a worrisome issue for us.

But then, I can never be preemptive of an incident over which I was not a live witness.

But one thing I am certain of is that the government has put in place mechanism for investigation of the reported incident.

So, I would not like to be preemptive in terms of a conclusion, one way or the other, without allowing the consummation and conclusion of the investigation process.

Also responding to questions regarding the incident, he said,

I think it is about commitment to the sanctity of the judiciary and the judicial system.

As a government, we have established a tradition of respect and interest to the independence of the judiciary.

The minister also paid a courtesy visit to the President, National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benedict Kanyip, on his confirmation as substantive head of the court.

Malami pledged the Federal Government’s support to Kanyip towards achieving his mandate.

According to him, the Federal Government is committed to the independence of the judiciary and the government is considering the possibility of using an Executive Order to strengthen the judiciary independence.

Thanking the minister for the visit, Kanyip said the major challenge facing the court was how to reduce the trial time because to delay justice is to deny it.

The minister was assured that the court would continue to live up to its expectation on labour and employers’ related matters.

Justin Nwosu

Justin Nwosu is the founder and publisher of Flavision. His core interest is in writing unbiased news about Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. He’s a strong adherent of investigative journalism, with a bent on exposing corruption, abuse of power and societal ills.