Amid growing concerns over the security of judicial officers, the Chief Justice of Nigeria,CJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has clarified that judges are excluded from President Bola Tinubu’s directive ordering the withdrawal of police officers attached to Very Important Persons,VIPs, stressing that the policy does not extend to the judiciary.
The clarification was conveyed by the CJN’s media aide, Tobi Soniyi, who explained that the presidential directive was introduced to redeploy police personnel from VIP protection duties to frontline security operations in response to worsening insecurity across the country.
He emphasised that judicial officers remain exempt from the order and are entitled to continued police protection.
The matter gained public attention following reports from Taraba State, where the Chief Judge, Justice Joel Agya, raised alarm over the alleged withdrawal of police orderlies attached to some judges without prior notification.
Justice Agya cautioned that such actions could expose judges to significant security threats, particularly those presiding over sensitive criminal, terrorism, political and corruption-related cases.
He warned that any reduction in security could also have far-reaching implications for judicial independence and the effective administration of justice.
Responding to the concerns, Soniyi stated that the CJN was not aware of any authorised directive approving the withdrawal of police personnel attached to judges.
He reiterated that the exemption of judicial officers from the policy remains explicit and intact.
He also noted that no similar complaints had been reported by other heads of courts across the federation, suggesting that the situation in Taraba State may have resulted from a misunderstanding or miscommunication.
In its response, the Taraba State Police Command denied withdrawing police officers assigned to judges.
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The command maintained that security personnel attached to court premises and judges’ official residences were still in place.
It clarified that the presidential directive only affects personal VIP escorts and does not apply to officers assigned to judicial or institutional security duties.
President Tinubu’s directive, issued in late November, mandates the redeployment of police officers from VIP protection details to core security operations aimed at combating kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes across the country.
The presidency has consistently described the policy as non-negotiable, underscoring the need to maximise the use of limited police manpower to address pressing security challenges.
However, the federal government has indicated that alternative security arrangements may be considered where necessary, including the deployment of personnel from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other relevant security agencies to fill any gaps created by the policy.
The clarification from the CJN is widely viewed as an effort to reassure members of the judiciary and calm rising anxiety over their safety, while also affirming the importance of protecting judges as critical actors in the justice system.
Ensuring adequate security for judicial officers, observers say, is essential for maintaining public confidence in the rule of law and the independence of the courts.
The development has also renewed debate among legal practitioners, security experts and civil society groups on how best to balance the reallocation of scarce police resources with the need to safeguard key state institutions.
Stakeholders have called for clearer communication, proper coordination among security agencies and uniform implementation of the directive nationwide to prevent confusion and ensure that essential institutions, including the judiciary, remain adequately protected.
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