The Chief Judge of Taraba State, Justice Joel Agya, has expressed deep concern over what he described as a sudden withdrawal of police orderlies attached to judges, warning that the move could endanger lives and disrupt the administration of justice in the state.
Justice Agya said the withdrawal, which he claimed occurred on December 8, 2025, left judges vulnerable, especially those presiding over high-risk criminal, political, terrorism, and corruption cases.
He stressed that judicial independence is not only about freedom from interference but also about protection from intimidation and threats.
He added that maintaining security within the courts is essential to ensuring order, fairness, and uninterrupted judicial processes.
The Chief Judge called for immediate clarification and cooperation to safeguard the judiciary.
However, during a courtesy visit, Taraba State Commissioner of Police, Betty Isokpan, dismissed fears of a total withdrawal.
She clarified that police personnel assigned as court orderlies were not removed and that only personal escorts for VIPs were affected by the nationwide policy.
According to her, President Bola Tinubu’s directive aimed to redeploy police officers from VIP protection back to public security duty.
Isokpan assured that judges still have court security in place and that the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps will support VIP protection where necessary.
She emphasised the importance of cooperation between the judiciary and security agencies, reaffirming her respect for the courts and commitment to ensuring judges remain protected.
The development highlights ongoing tensions between national security reforms and the safety needs of Nigeria’s judicial officers.
