As the face off between the National Judicial Council and the federal government continues on the fate of the recently arrested judges, lawyers across the country are still divided on the propriety of investigation and arrest of top judges by the department of state services.
The debate took centre stage at the 14th anniversary of the annual lecture of human right advocacy group crusade for justice.
Political correspondent Ayodele Ozugbakun was there and completes the report that there has been intense public reaction to the pre-dawn arrest of some judicial officers, including two justices of the supreme court, for alleged corrupt practices.
While some supported the action, others rose against the gestapo-style of the DSS in arresting judges.
The Crusade for Justice in its 14th annual lecture with the theme: Towards a Corruption and Egalitarian society, the Change starts with the Leadership.
The event had lawyers, civil rights activists and representatives of several non-governmental organisations. The guest speaker, Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN) spoke on The Role of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and Other Agencies in the Fight Against Corruption in Nigeria.
Legal practitioners were divided on the recent clampdown on alleged corrupt judges by the secret state police.
Babatunde Ogala, a lawyer and a former lawmaker and Adesina Ogunlana supported the recent clampdown and efforts to clean up the judiciary by the Federal Government.
Richard Nwankwo, the convener of the event and Ikechukwu Ikeji advised the Federal Government to desist from media trial.
Crusade for Justice is a non-governmental organisation and human rights advocacy group pride itself as been at the forefront of constructive activism.