- Safiu Kehinde
The Chief Judge of Taraba State, Justice Joel Agya, has lamented over President Bola Tinubu’s directive on the withdrawal of all Police officers from VIP escort duty.
Agya said the abrupt withdrawal of police orderlies attached to judges in the state had put them at security risk.
The Taraba Chief Justice expressed his concern over the development while playing host to Betty Isokpan, Commissioner of Police, Taraba Command, who paid a courtesy visit in Jalingo on Tuesday.
Agya recalled that Tinubu had issued an order for the withdrawal of police guards from Very Important Persons (VIP) throughout the country.
He however, said that the Force Headquarters had earlier exempted judges and governors from the order, adding that they were by law entitled to police protections.
Agya regretted that police orderlies attached to all judiciary officers in the state were withdrawn on December 8 2025 without notice.
According to him, this sudden withdrawal of police orderlies will have far reaching effects on the administration of criminal Justice in Taraba.
“Firstly, it is a threat to judge’s security and personal safety as judges handling sensitive criminal, political, terrorism and corruption cases are exposed to high risk.
“Secondly, it undermines judicial independence as judicial independence is not only the absence of inteferance but includes protection from intimidation.
“Without orderlies, court room can become unsafe as judges may face harassment inside or outside the court and proceedings may be disrupted.
“Court security is therefore, essential for order, decorum and fairness. I therefore, call for constructive engagement and swift action to address this pressing concern,” Agya pleaded.
He noted that the judiciary would not perform its constitutional responsibilities effectively without the cooperation of the police.
He noted that the work of the court was deeply connected with the work of the police, adding that Judiciary had placed high value on relationship that was built on integrity, transparency, prompt communication and a shared commitment to justice and the rule of law.
In her remarks, the Commissioner of Police clarified that court orderlies were not withdrawn.
Isokpan said that the withdrawal policy only covered personal police escorts and guards.
She explained that the personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps were to compliment the services of the police to the affected VIPs.
“Every court is expected to have a court duty police, who stays in the court during court proceedings.
“For the personnel police orderlies or escorts are withdrawn in compliance with the directives from above, I hold judges in high esteem, and I cannot on my own, withdraw court duty officers.
“As it stands, I think there is a mixed up somewhere, we have only withdrawn those police escorts that escort you to Sokoto, Lagos and Kaduna and not those ones posted to work in courts,” Isokpan explained.
The Commissioner underscored the importance of dialogue and engagement among various institutions for better governance.