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CJN Kekere-Ekun says judges are exempted from the presidential security withdrawal order targeting VIPs
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Clarification follows reports of withdrawal of police orderlies attached to judges in Taraba State
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Judiciary warns that removing security from judges could endanger lives and threaten judicial independence
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has clarified that the presidential directive on the withdrawal of police officers assigned to Very Important Personalities (VIPs) does not apply to judges.
The clarification was issued on Saturday through the CJN’s media aide, Tobi Soniyi, amid growing concerns within the judiciary over reports that police orderlies attached to judges had been withdrawn in some states.
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The development followed a public complaint by the Chief Judge of Taraba State, Justice Joel Agya, who disclosed that police officers assigned to judicial officers in the state were withdrawn on December 8 without prior notice. He described the action as a serious security threat.
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Justice Agya noted that judges, like governors, are explicitly exempted from the presidential order in recognition of their statutory right to police protection. He warned that removing security personnel from judges handling sensitive cases—including criminal, political, terrorism and corruption matters—could expose them to grave danger.
He further stressed that judicial independence goes beyond freedom from interference and includes protection from intimidation, adding that unsecured courtrooms could disrupt judicial proceedings.
Responding, Soniyi said the CJN’s office was not aware of any directive or action withdrawing police orderlies from judges, questioning why such a move would occur when judicial officers are clearly exempted from the order.
He added that no similar complaints had been received from judges in other parts of the country, reaffirming that the presidential security withdrawal directive does not affect members of the judiciary.
