Justice Ayo Salami turns down appointment to monitor corruption cases

-Justice Ayo Salami turns down appointment due to expected conflict of interest among committe members.

-He however discussed privately with the CJN before making his decision public.

Justice Ayo Salami has reportedly, based on principle and conscience, rejected the opportunity to head the Corruption and Financial Crime Cases Trial Monitoring Committee, COTRIMCO, set up by the National Judicial Council.

The Corruption and Financial Crime Cases Trial Monitoring Committee, COTRIMCO, was set up by the National Judicial Council, NJC and the former appeal court president, Ayo Salami was appointed chairman of the committee by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen.

According to the Nation Newspaper, Salami turned down the appointment based on the belief that the personal interest of some members of the 15-man committee may not allow it perform as efficiently as expected.

The panel is said to include some members who had been implicated in some conflicting challenges between the bench and the bar.

Although, Salami was not in the country when his appointment was announced, he reportedly sought audience with the CJN upon his return to discuss his position on the appointment and subsequently turned turn the appointment after discussing his reservations with the CJN.

Justice Salami also consulted widely with leaders on the Bench and in the Bar before deciding with his family to reject the offer.

READ ALSO: IGP vs Misau: Court grants Senator N5m bail

The source said, “I think Salami felt that a few members of the committee had been entrenched in the intrigues in the nation’s Judiciary.

“He believes that as the chairman of the committee, he will not have the authority to keep those members in check.

“So, instead of creating unnecessary problem for himself without any place to run to, he opted to stay away from the committee.

“In fact, while he was still being asked by colleagues to give the appointment a chance, there was controversy over the reinstatement of a former chairman of the Presidential Task Force on Pension Reforms Task Team, Mr. Abdulrasheed Abdullahi Maina. Salami just said he won’t accept this offer.

“He, however, took time to meet with the CJN personally to thank him for the honour and why he cannot accept the job. He made it known that he had no grudges against the CJN.”