Barrister Dauda Olayinka Jimoh is the current chairman of the Young Lawyers’ Forum {YLF}, Ilorin branch, he speaks with our JUDICIARY CORRESPONDENT, KAYODE ADEOTI on the directive of the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo for the overhaul of the Federal Special Anti-Robbery Squard {F-SARS} among other sundry issues. Excerpts:
There seems to be long silence over what is next since President Muhammadu Buhari assented to the bill for judiciary independence, what’s the update?
The agitations for the Judiciary independent has been on for a long time. I want to commend the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for acting on that bill. The implications of that bill is very germane as it will ensure total independence of the judiciary. Judiciary will not have to go to the executive for finance or to implement their budget. With this development, the judiciary will have to be careful in the way and manner they will go about the implementation and execution of their budget. They should guard against any influence of politics, they should act religiously to overcome any temptation of spending indecently. In Nigeria today, nobody seems to be honest when it comes to the issue of public fund but it is a good one having the independence now. Also, we cannot be in a rush over it, very soon things we take a new face.
With the debates and agitations for establishment of state police, do you think our states are ripe enough for this institution?
Just like the independence of judiciary has better and good advantages, the idea of having state police is a good one and it will go a long to curb crisis. In fact, I strongly believe if established, the institution will help curb herdsmen killings across the country. What happened in Jos some weeks back could have been averted if we have had an institution like state police on ground. State police will serve us better specially if its members are employed from that very state. They will know the nook and crannies of each community in state, and thereby having background knowledge of any crisis that may come up in that area. But, everything has it pros and cons, this implies that the fact our politicians might make it their own tools to influence things. The ruling government may even use it to go after its opponents just to achieve its aims. Many atimes, our governors tend to be power drunk. But if there could be a way of removing this bottlenecks, I totally support it.
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has directed an overhaul of the Federal Special Anti-robbery Squad (F-SARS), how do you see this?
The agitation that brought about F-SARS in the first place was insecurity in the country. There wouldn’t have been need for it if we’ve had protection on our lives and property. Therefore, we cannot scrap an institution that was put in place for a purpose. The directive of the VP over this department of police is very apt and welcoming, to me, that is exactly what we need. We don’t need the reform of only the F-SARS in Nigeria but all sectors, many things seems to be not working and drastic steps need to be taken in order to revive our systems.
Many Nigerians are asking questions about the money looted by the former President of Nigeria, General Sanni Abacha…?
(Cuts in) Switzerland country told us recently that all the money siphoned by Abacha has been repatriated back to Nigeria, this implies there is no money belonging to our country in their coffers again. There is however an allegation that the money has been relooted by some people. This is why the government of Buhari put a mechanism in place to address the issue of relooting. The problem is that, we don’t have sincere leaders because if this money is properly used, Nigeria will be better for it.
