CJ Laments Withdrawal Of Police Orderlies From Judges In Taraba

The Chief Judge of Taraba State, Justice Joel Agya, has lamented that the withdrawal of police orderlies attached to judges in the state exposed them to security risks.

Justice Agya, who raised the concern when the Commissioner of Police in the State, CP Betty Enekpen Isokpan Otimenyin, paid him a courtesy visit in Jalingo, appealed that judicial officers should be exempted from the police orderlies’ withdrawal, considering the nature of their job.

“Even though President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had directed the withdrawal of police guards from VIPs nationwide, the Force Headquarters had earlier exempted judges, because the law entitles them to police protection,” the CJ said.

He said all police orderlies attached to judges in Taraba State were withdrawn on December 8 without prior notice.

The Chief Judge then described the development as a significant threat to the administration of criminal justice in the State.

According to him, judges handling sensitive political, criminal, terrorism and corruption cases now face heightened personal risk, saying that the absence of orderlies could compromise judicial independence and embolden intimidation within and outside the courtroom.

Agya further stressed that the courtrooms without adequate security could become unsafe, with the likelihood of harassment and disruption of proceedings.

He called for constructive engagement between the judiciary and police authorities to urgently address the situation, insisting that effective justice delivery depends on close cooperation between both institutions.

Responding, CP Isokpan clarified that court orderlies had not been withdrawn.

The CP stated that the directive from the Inspector General of Police applied only to personal escorts and guards, not to officers assigned to court duties or those posted to judges’ residences.

She noted that personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) would complement police personnel where necessary.

The Police Commissioner maintained that every court is expected to have duty police officers present during proceedings.