International Bodies Seek Total Reform Of Judiciary, Bemoan Benue, Rivers, Osun Debacles

The United World Congress of Diplomats (UN-WCD) and the International Institute of Experts on Political Economy and Administration (IIEPEA) have called for reforming Nigeria’s judiciary to rebuild Nigerians’ confidence.

UN-WCD/IIEPEA called at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday against the backdrop of judiciary interference in politics in the country when it is supposed to steer clear of that turf.

Speaking on behalf of the bodies, Dr Tunji Asaolu said they have received reports from some states in Nigeria, such as Rivers State, about undue interferences of judiciary workers, especially judges, on political issues where conflicting orders were issued to frustrate democracy.

Asaolu noted that in Osun state, there was a conflicting State High Court order and Appeal Court judgment over the dissolution of Local Government Council Chairmen, their reinstatement, and a fresh election by the state electoral empire.

He said the most recent and worrisome of all is the political interference by the Benue State Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, who tried to undermine justice by granting a waiver to petitioners of the local government election tribunal not to pay the security deposit as stipulated by law.

“These behaviours are completely against the core objectives of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG), which are to Promote adherence, by each State Party, to the universal values and principles of democracy and respect for human rights and also the doctrine of the rule of law premised upon the respect for, and the supremacy of the Constitution and constitutional order in the political arrangements of the State Parties; which is Nigeria in this case.

“The Benue State Chief Judge, the Registrar of the court, the current Senate Minority Leader, and all those who supported the actions of the Chief Judge publicly should be sanctioned and have their existing visas cancelled and visa ban issued against them just as we advocated in the case of Rivers State and INEC officials who purposely sabotaged democratic principles during elections.

“Benue State is of particular interest to the international community, having been under security threats which led to Internally Displaced Persons Camps, IDPs across the state. The human rights community has warned that should the world allow Judicial Officers to destroy institutions like democracy and the rule of law, the state would find it more difficult to develop.

“As the international community observes these developments, we emphasise the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring accountability for all public officials, including judges. Any misconduct or abuse of power must be met with swift and decisive action to maintain public trust and confidence in the judiciary. We assure you that we will continue to monitor the situation closely and advocate for ethical governance practices in Nigeria and beyond,” Asaolu said.

He called on all stakeholders to prioritise the interests of justice, transparency, and accountability in their actions and decisions. Upholding the rule of law and respecting the independence of the judiciary is fundamental to a functioning democracy and the protection of citizens’ rights without any political interference.

“We urge the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to act by the truth and uphold the rule of law by condemning any illegal actions committed by any Chief Judge rather than endorsing or supporting any questionable conduct.

“We call on the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation to initiate an independent panel to thoroughly investigate the allegations of financial irregularities and breaches of ethical standards attributed to Chief Judge Ikpambese of Benue State. It is essential to ensure that due process is followed and that justice is served in the interest of public trust and accountability.

“We implore the Executive Governor of Benue State to speedily appoint an acting Chief Judge to prevent a vacuum in the judiciary and uphold the uninterrupted delivery of justice to the citizens of Benue State. Ensuring stability and continuity within the judicial system is crucial for safeguarding the rights and interests of the people,” Asaolu added.