CJN clears Judges as police withdrawal order sparks anxiety

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has moved to calm rising concerns within the judiciary, clarifying that judges are exempted from President Bola Tinubu’s directive withdrawing police officers from Very Important Persons (VIPs).

The clarification comes amid fears that the policy, introduced to strengthen internal security nationwide, could leave judicial officers exposed, especially those presiding over sensitive cases.

According to the CJN’s media aide, Tobi Soniyi, the presidential order was designed to redeploy police personnel to frontline security duties in response to worsening insecurity, but does not apply to judges.

The reassurance follows reports from Taraba State, where the Chief Judge, Justice Joel Agya, raised alarm that police orderlies attached to some judges had allegedly been withdrawn without prior notice.

Justice Agya warned that such a move could expose judges particularly those handling criminal, terrorism, political and corruption cases to serious security risks, potentially undermining judicial independence.

Reacting, Soniyi said the CJN was not aware of any authorised withdrawal of police personnel attached to judges, stressing that their exemption from the directive remains unequivocal.

He added that no similar complaints had been received from other heads of courts across the federation.

Meanwhile, the Taraba State Police Command denied withdrawing officers assigned to judges, insisting that security personnel attached to court duties and judges’ residences were still in place, and that the directive only affects personal VIP escorts.

President Tinubu’s order, issued in late November, mandates the redeployment of police officers from VIP protection to core security operations aimed at combating kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes, with the presidency maintaining that the policy is non-negotiable while alternative security arrangements are being explored.