An anti-graft NGO, the Citizen Anti Corruption Volunteers Corp (CACVC), has commended the Department of State Services (DSS) for what it described as successful sting operation clinically executed to crackdown and pull in suspected judges whose activities are denting the image of the judiciary.

The group in a statement issued on Saturday, endorsed by its National Chairman, Comr. Eze Haris Chuma, said: “It is no fallacy that in recent times the fight against corruption in Nigeria, as rekindled by President Muhammadu Buhari’s government has suffered a major setback largely occasioned by some disdainful members of the judiciary. A legal institution meant to serve and provide a veritable instrument towards ensuring the success of the ongoing onslaught against corrupt public office holders and high profile individuals who have held this nation captive and consequently thrown our economy into recession.

“We salute the courage of men of DSS who are resolute in making sure the war against graft is pursued vigorous without recourse to whose interest is flared. It is only when relevant governmental institutions such as DSS exhibit utmost patriotism in the discharge of its constitutional duties will one be proactive and join forces in a bid to eradicate the ugly menace of corruption in our nation. We make bold to say that at this stage in our national life the much anticipated change can only be manifest when discerning Nigerians begin to see the effort of the Federal Government against graft as the sure way to restoring the dignity of our dear nation.”

The group also said: “It is quite unfortunate that the ignorant and dubious minds have began to politicise the recent move by the DSS, while wallowing in parochial vituperations against the well articulated plot to sanitise the judiciary, playing the partisan card and garbed with hate gloves, dubious minds have resorted to capricious criticism of the recent action of DSS. One wonders if these dubious fellows are ignorant of the prevailing realities on ground, and the urgency of now. Truth be told, it is upon us as a people to rise up at this critical phase and shun every act inimical to the progress of our nation.”

The anti-graft NGO asserted that “the latest action of the DSS in arresting the alleged criminal judges is constitutional. No one is above arrest. The judges in question do not wear any toga of immunity, neither are they above the law. They can be arrested at any time of the day or night like everyone else. What reasonable people should be concerned with is the rule of law deemed satisfactory, followed to the latter.

“We warmly congratulate DSS and urge them not to be deterred by reins of darts by disgruntled individuals who have unrepentantly vowed to obstruct the wheel of progress. The fight against corruption has just taken a new dimension and we can see corruption fighting back violently. We hereby wish to advise the general public to support the noble cause and nobody should elect to be used in one way or another towards frustrating the effort of the law enforcement agents. Let's own this fight, it is high time we stood up and join forces with relevant agencies to expose corrupt elements in our society.”

•Photo shows CACVC Chairman, Comr. Eze Haris Chuma.

Update news