Taraba Chief Judge Laments Withdrawal Of Police Orderlies

The chief judge of Taraba State, Justice Joel Agya, has observed that the withdrawal of police orderlies attached to judges exposed them to security risks.

Justice Agya, who raised the concern when he hosted the state  commissioner of police, Betty Enekpen Isokpan Otimenyin, in Jalingo, appealed that judicial officers should be exempted 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.”

He said all police orderlies attached to judges in Taraba were withdrawn without prior notice on December 8.

The chief judge, then described the development as a major 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, 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Responding, commissioner of police, Betty Isokpan clarified that court orderlies had not been withdrawn.

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

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

The Commissioner maintained that, every court is expected to have duty police officers present during proceedings, to tackle any confusion likely to arose from misunderstanding of the policy.

She emphasised her respect for the judiciary and dismissed claims that she ordered the withdrawal of court security.