By Ehichioya Stephen Odion
A Benin based legal practitioner, Barr. Uyi Obamedo-Woghiren has described judiciary as an arm of government that helped to strenghtened democracy.
He made this statenent in an interview with the Groovewatch Magazine in Benin City, while reacting to the recent 15 months jail sentence handed over to the former South Africa President, Jacob Zuma.
Barr. Obamedo-Woghiren said what transpired in South Africa is a good development, adding that it was an aberration for Jacob Zuma not to obey court order. "If he serves the jail term he becomes an ex-convict. That is not a good appellation for a leader like Jacob Zuma that has done well. The prison sentence does not ugur well for his reputation as a leader as well".
"Court order must be obeyed. If you are found contemptable you go in for it. Under our law if anybody disobey court order every lawyers knows that you must filed in form 48 for contempt. If that goes through the offender must pay the price and face punitive measure".
He further said that what happened in South Africa is a big lesson and a practical one that African countries and other continents of the world should emulate.
Barr. Obemedo-woghiren however, regretted the way and manner the Nigeria judiciary is been operated. He added that it is unfotunate that judges are being arrested, intimidated, oppressed and sometimes even barsterdized and been subjected to trials. He said he thanked God that there are still some good hands that are helping to solidified the structure.
He said it is obvious that the present government has been trying to demistified the judiciary since its inception. He said it is not a healthy development, and therefore advised that the judiciary should be honoured.
"Those laws that are obsolete should be repealed to pave way for laws that conformed with the present day reality".
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