Saturday, 7 December 2013 00:00
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By Lawyers for Justice
Can anyone believe that the entire inquiry proper was concluded within six hours –about five hours of one continuous sitting, for examining and recording the evidence of 16 witnesses and marking over 1,000 pages of documents, and 20 minutes for considering and approving the final report.
The Chief Justice of the country was summarily dismissed without a fair trial, in secrecy, in her absence, on the findings of a partial panel, without the four Opposition members, and after denying her right to a legitimate defence, contrary to all principles of natural justice? The final determining panel of seven was one-sided, of only Government ministers.
How was it possible to finish the hearing of 16 witnesses and to examine over 1,000 pages of documents, in just five hours and how can the deliberations, findings, the preparation, consideration and approval of the entire report take place in just 20 minutes?
There is a great mystery as to how it happened. Was there an outside hand involved in manipulating the process and especially in preparing the final report? When and where was it prepared? Everything seems a predetermined and a foregone conclusion.
The Supreme Court considered the Standing Orders as inadequate and the Court of Appeal quashed the findings of the PSC, yet the rulings and orders were contemptuously disregarded. The Judiciary has now come under the spell of the political authorities.
We, the members of the Bar, are entitled to know the truth and we must investigate and find the truth, as it concerns us most i.e. the head of the justice system has been unfairly treated and summarily dismissed. We cannot be mere spectators to this tragedy.
The Bar cannot dismiss the entire episode lightly, it is too serious a matter to forget or ignore, to acquiesce or condone as fait accompli, and it is a shame that the Bar should abandon the struggle for justice, for the restoration of the Chief Justice.
It is not a question of success or failure, but to continue to agitate and campaign, to sustain the tempo, and seek to rectify the injustice. The future of the justice system is at stake, the Judiciary is already shaken by the might of the political authority and by the weakness of the Bar.
If we do not assert but succumb, we have no future. It is a difficult and a formidable task, against all odds, yet even a low profile, silent and a sustained invisible campaign must go on. Only the lawyer fraternity can and must do this.
How can we condone a six-hour summary injustice to a CJ? It is an affront to all of us, especially the Bar, the lawyer fraternity. We cannot permit the perpetuation of injustice in this country. Justice is too sacred to be left in the hands of politics. Only the Bar can collectively assert and ensure justice, no one else can.
A few of us are dedicated to serve the cause in a subdued and sustained manner. We now seek your support and cooperation. More and detailed information on the impeachment mystery will be provided and the truth will be revealed, deception exposed.
Hope is our greatest strength – not despair. Truth will triumph. We must restore the independence and integrity of the Judiciary, and give confidence to the judges and save the justice system. Otherwise we are doomed and the future is lost in helplessness. Tomorrow is too late; it is now or never, act now rather than regret later.
There are ominous signs of the impending disaster, from the Police to the AG’s Department and even in the Higher Judiciary. A document on the various injustices from protecting drug peddlers to shielding criminals and murderers is being compiled. We must save the justice system from political interference. Let us not permit the casino mafia culture to destroy the future.
The Bar and the lawyer fraternity must be stoutly independent from politics. That is our strength, to ensure unity and collectivity. Let not political forces divide and weaken us or take advantage.
Our single greatest task now is to reiterate our continued commitment to expose the impeachment racket, and to maintain the vigilant, vibrant and activated independence of the Bar. A few dedicated activists can make all the difference to our effort; your support will boost us even further. We count on your encouragement and blessings.
