Ibadan — Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ibadan branch moved to compound the woes of the Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Isaiah Olakanmi as it canvassed for the immediate withdrawal of his security compliments as well as effect his arrest.

The bar in a letter signed by its Chairman, Mr. Obafunso Ogunkeye and the Secretary, Mr. Olufemi Akintomiwa stated that the withdrawal of Olakanmi' s security compliments became inevitable, as the National Judicial Commission (NJC) has stopped recognising him as a judicial officer in the state.

The lawyers' umbrella also wrote the Commissioner of Justice and Attorney-General, Mr. Folorunso Lana, urging him to exercise his responsibility as the Chief Law Officer of the state and in accordance with the oath by which he had sworn to inter alia, "preserve, protect and defend the constitution of the country" by immediately applying for a warrant to arrest the sitting CJ, initiate proceedings for his criminal trial under section 107(1) and (2) of the criminal code of the state.

The NBA also advised the state governor, Otunba Adebayo Alao-Akala , to withdraw from Olakanmi, all paraphernalia of office and appoint an acting CJ to take over from him.

The NJC had last month, blacklisted the CJ, another serving judge, Justice Iyabo Yerima and the former Acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Afolabi Adeniran ordering them to go on compulsory retirement following their alleged corruption and incontinent behaviour.

However, despite the pronouncement of the NJC, the CJ has continued to perform functions pertaining to his office while also adjudicating on litigations, an action, the NBA described as a violation of Section 107(1) and (2) of the Criminal Code of Oyo State and a clear infraction of our laws.

The NBA said it is bothered by the untold hardship and jeopardy that will be foisted on innocent litigants, whose cases are now being heard by these judges in view of the clear pronouncement of the NJC that all acts being carried out by them amount to a nullity.

The association charged the judges in the state to stoutly rise and fight the debasement of the Rule of Law and the stark and crude violation of the Constitution of our nation.