Condemning The Outburst By Timipriye Silva concerning Hon Justice Ekwo

The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria unites with other Ministers in the Temple of Justice in condemning in totality the recent outburst aired on Channels TV by MR TIMIPRIYE SILVA concerning Hon Justice Ekwo, a sitting Federal High Court Judge of the Yenagoa Division; words of which are unprintable and certainly not worthy of being repeated here.

We commend the NBA for their quick response in condemning this outburst and align ourselves with their statement. The outburst of Mr. Silva is totally unwarranted, absolutely rude and disrespectful, an irresponsible statement which casts aspersions on the person of the Hon Justice Ekwo and it must in no way be condoned.

FIDA Nigeria therefore calls on all Ministers in the Temple of Justice to rise up and protect the sanctity of our profession. The Judiciary and her officers cannot be intimidated in anyway, they are Honorable and independent; where one feels a judge has erred in his judgment, there are well laid out processes and procedures to follow rather than resorting to cheap blackmail tactics of insults and public ridicule.

FIDA Nigeria rise in support of the NBA’s call on the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, the Honorable Chief Justice of Nigeria and indeed the National Judicial Council, to with the utmost dispatch proceed against Mr. Timipriye Silva, to forthwith retract and make good the ills he has committed by his recent outburst against His Lordship, Hon Justice Ekwo, who was acting in the due exercise of his judicial function. Such a retraction of the abusive words and clear apology must be similarly aired on the same national television.

The outburst by Mr. Sliva, a serving Minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria has shown his pedigree and has certainly embarrassed his office, not to mention the entire country. He has shown bad sportsmanship, he cannot be allowed to tarnish the image and integrity of a judge.

Rhoda Prevail Tyoden
Country Vice President/National President 

Eliana Martins
National Publicity Secretary