Ondo Chief Justice finally succumbs to withdrawal of tax circular

Barely two months of suspension of court activities in Ondo state, the Chief Judge(CJ) of the state, Justice Olasehinde Kumuyi, today reached an agreement with leaders of the  branch of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in the state to withdraw and stop the implementation of his (kumuyi)controversial circular.
The circular insisted on production of tax clearance as a compulsory pre-condition for bail of accused person standing trial before all courts in the state.
The decision was reached at the end of the meeting called by the CJ at Judges recreation centre, Alagbaka, Akure with leaders of the NBA in the state.
Members of the Bar also agreed to suspend the two-month-old boycott of Courts under the state Judiciary.
Lawyers in the state have vacated  Courts since June, 3 to protest the CJ’s circular which they alleged violated the rights of citizens.
With the withdrawal of the circular, Judges will be free to exercise their discretion in the grant of bail to accuse persons standing trial before the Courts in the state.
One of the Lawyers, Charles Titiloye welcome the amicable resolution of the matter in the interest of the Judiciary and the common man who look up to the Court for Justice.
He praised lawyers and stakeholders in the state for their unwavering commitment to ensure that no extra Constitutional inhibitions and obstacles like tax clearance were imposed on the Courts to deprive citizen of their rights to liberty, while facing trial before Courts in Ondo state.
The right activist called for quick resolution of the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria(JUSUN) strike action.
He said “all stakeholders in Justice sector want an independent Judiciary that is not financially controlled by the executive”.
“That is the spirit of separation of power between the three arms of government in our constitution. Happily ,a Federal High Court Judgement has affirmed it. It is not subject to negotiation. ”
Titiloye said the executive arm of government ought not to be deciding whether to release fund, when and how to release the said fund for the use of the Judiciary.
“Is it not true in Nigeria that ‘he who pays the piper dictate the tune. JUSUN strike must be quickly resolved in favour of an independent and financial autonomous Judiciary in Nigeria, Titiloye.


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