Jalingo: Taraba State Chief Judge, Justice Joel Agya, has expressed deep concern over the sudden withdrawal of police orderlies attached to judges in the state, warning that the move exposes judicial officers to heightened security risks and threatens the independence of the courts.
Agya made the complaint while playing host to Betty Isokpan, Commissioner of Police, Taraba Command, who paid a courtesy visit to him in Jalingo.
The chief judge recalled that President Bola Tinubu had issued an order to withdraw police guards from Very Important Persons (VIPs) nationwide.
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 protection.
He regretted that police orderlies attached to all judiciary officers in the state were withdrawn on December 8, 2025, without notice.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 judges’ 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 interference but includes protection from intimidation.
“Without orderlies, the courtroom 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 court’s work was closely connected to that of the police, adding that the Judiciary had placed great value on a relationship built on integrity, transparency, prompt communication, and a shared commitment to justice and the rule of law.
In her remarks, the Commissioner of Police said that court orderlies were not withdrawn.
Isokpan said that the withdrawal policy covered personal police escorts and guards.
She insisted that court duty officers and police on guard at the judges’ quarters were not withdrawn.
She explained that personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were to complement the police in providing services to the affected VIPs.
” Every court is expected to have a court duty police officer, 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 mix-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.
TheDiggerNews recalls that President Bola Tinubu had directed the withdrawal of all police orderlies attached to VIPs to enable them to provide security to the generality of Nigerians.