Okocha Tasks FG On Boko Haram

Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Onueze C.J. Okocha has called on the Federal Government not to relent in making sure that members of the fundamentalist Muslim group, Boko-Haram are brought to book considering the havoc they have unleashed in the country.

Okocha, (SAN) made the call during a chat with newsmen shortly after the swearing-in of six new High Court Judges by the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi yesterday in Port Harcourt.

The former NBA boss who spoke against the backdrop of plans by the federal authorities to dialogue with the group, averred that peace talks should be based on the part of justice, as he lamented the loss of lives and properties as a result of the group’s activities.

Okocha remarked that, “If we look at the incidents that have occurred throughout the country, bombing of churches, bombing of Police stations, killings of innocent civilians and citizens, it seems to me that it is a law and order matter”.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria argued that the Niger-Delta agitation differs from that of the Boko Haram in that it was hinged on genuine demands stemming from long years of neglect, environmental pollution and resource control.

So far, he stated that the Boko-Haram has remained faceless and their demand for the termination of western education bogus,” for me, we must seek ways and means to maintain and enforce law and order. Anybody who bombs a Church or mosque for that matter and says it is Boko haram should be arrested and prosecuted”, he added.

On whethter the federal government should proceed with the peace talks, Okocha averred,” we talk peace with people who want peace. We don’t talk peace with people who want to kill all of us”.

Meanwhile, the erudite lawyer has described Nigerian Judiciary as one of the finest in the world despite challenges in the system.

He was of the view that the judiciary has asserted itself as an independent arm of government over the years stressing that in recent times there have not been any record of compromise by judicial officers.

“In recent past we have not heard of any Governor or Speaker or highly placed politician interfering with the manner in which the courts decides and determines a case”, Okocha observed.

While congratulating the new judges, he advocated for financial independence of the judiciary pointing out that starving the courts of funds would hamper the integrity of the judiciary and its independence.