The National Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, Kunle Edun has said that the Judicial arm of government is an equal partner with the Executive arm of government and must be respected as a co-partner in government.

He also said that its fundings and the appointment process should be devoid of undue Executive interference.

Kunle made this remark Saturday, following the recent wide publicity that attended the gift by the Governor of Kaduna State of 24 jeeps to the Judges of the Kaduna State High Court, noting that it is a mockery of the famed independence of the judiciary.

He said “No one hears of the Executive arm giving the gift of vehicles and accommodation to legislators.

“It is high time that the National Judicial Council and the Judiciary of Nigeria stood up to protect their independence.

An independent judiciary is a prerequisite for the entrenchment of the rule of law.