The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has said the presidential directive ordering the withdrawal of police officers attached to Very Important Personalities is aimed at tackling rising insecurity. However, her media aide, Tobi Soniyi, clarified that the directive does not apply to judges, despite reports that some VIPs have already lost police protection.
The Chief Judge of Taraba State, Justice Joel Agya, had raised concerns that police orderlies attached to judges in the state were withdrawn on December 8 without notice. “Firstly, it is a threat to judges’ security and personal safety,” he said, adding that the move also “undermines judicial independence” and could disrupt court proceedings.
Responding, Soniyi said judges were exempted from the directive and expressed surprise at the claim.
The Taraba State Commissioner of Police, Betty Isokpan, also denied the withdrawal, saying, “We have only withdrawn police escorts who accompany VIPs… in compliance with the Inspector General’s directives,” adding that court duty officers remain in place.