Judges Exempted From Police Withdrawal Order — CJN

The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has clarified that judges are exempted from the presidential directive ordering the withdrawal of police officers attached to Very Important Personalities (VIPs).

Justice Kekere-Ekun explained that the directive was introduced as part of broader measures to address the country’s growing security challenges, but stressed that it does not apply to members of the judiciary.

In a statement issued by her media aide, Tobi Soniyi, the CJN said she was not aware of any withdrawal of police orderlies attached to judges, adding that such an action would contradict the exemptions already granted.

The clarification followed concerns raised by the Chief Judge of Taraba State, Justice Joel Agya, who had earlier stated that police orderlies attached to judges in the state were withdrawn on December 8 without prior notice. He warned that the development posed serious security risks to judicial officers.

Justice Agya noted that judges and governors had previously been exempted from the directive, in recognition of their entitlement to police protection. He said the sudden withdrawal exposed judges—particularly those handling sensitive criminal, political, terrorism and corruption cases—to heightened danger.

According to him, the absence of police orderlies also threatens judicial independence, as unsafe court environments could disrupt proceedings and expose judges to intimidation.

Reacting to the concerns, Soniyi said no other chief judges had reported similar issues, expressing surprise at the situation described in Taraba State.

Meanwhile, the Taraba State Commissioner of Police, Betty Isokpan, denied that police orderlies assigned to judges had been withdrawn. She explained that the directive affected only personal police escorts and guards attached to VIPs, not officers assigned to court duties or posted to judges’ residences.

She added that courts would continue to have police officers on duty during proceedings, noting that only escorts accompanying VIPs on personal movements were withdrawn in line with the Inspector-General of Police’s directives.