The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has stated that judges are not included in the presidential order directing the withdrawal of police officers attached to Very Important Personalities across the country. She explained that the directive was introduced as part of efforts to manage security resources better in response to rising insecurity.
Her media aide, Tobi Soniyi, clarified that the order does not apply to judicial officers. He said judges are entitled to police protection and should not be affected by the ongoing withdrawal of escorts attached to certain individuals.
The clarification followed complaints from the Chief Judge of Taraba State, Justice Joel Agya, who raised concerns that police orderlies assigned to judges in the state had been withdrawn without notice. He warned that such action could expose judges to danger, especially those handling sensitive criminal, political, terrorism, and corruption cases. He also noted that removing police protection could affect the safety of court proceedings and the independence of the judiciary.
Reacting to the complaint, Soniyi said he was unaware of any withdrawal of police orderlies from judges and added that no similar complaints had been received from other states.
Meanwhile, the Taraba State Commissioner of Police, Betty Isokpan, denied that police officers attached to judges had been withdrawn. She explained that the directive only affected personal police escorts assigned to VIPs for movement and travel. According to her, police officers assigned to court duties and those posted to judges’ residences remain in place.
She added that every court still has officers assigned for security during sittings and that the police command is complying with instructions from the Inspector General of Police without compromising court security.