A coalition of various organisations has urged the National Judicial Council (NJC) to thoroughly investigate questionable judgments and ex-parte orders issued by certain judges in Nigeria.
The group, known as the Joint Action for Democracy (JAD), which includes political parties, lawyers, and civil society organisations (CSOs), held a press conference in Abuja, where they declared their intention to march to the NJC and foreign embassies. If the troubling practices persist, they plan to demand the dismissal of certain judges and a visa ban against them.
High Chief Peter Ameh, the National Coordinator of JAD, expressed frustration over the perceived inaction of relevant authorities. He stated that the press conference was a call for accountability within the judicial system.
“In light of these alarming developments, ethnic youth leaders, lawyers, and former presidential candidates will march to the National Judicial Council and foreign missions to advocate for a visa ban on judges involved in issuing questionable judgments and ex-parte rulings that erode public trust in the judiciary,” JAD stated.
The coalition accused these judges of engaging in partisan activities while serving on the bench and issuing ex-parte orders instead of proper court judgments. They asserted that these judges have shown undue interest in Rivers State and its political landscape, issuing orders influenced by political biases rather than legal principles.
JAD praised the Rivers State judiciary, specifically Justice I.P.C. Igwe, for his recent ruling that mandated the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RIVSIEC) to conduct local government elections on October 5th. They deemed this ruling a vital step in upholding democratic principles, aligning with a Supreme Court directive that requires all states to hold elections for Local Government Area chairs and councillors within three months.
“Justice Igwe’s judgment is pivotal in maintaining peace in Rivers State. It has thwarted attempts by powerful interests to destabilise the region,” they added.
However, the coalition raised concerns about certain judges within the Federal High Court in Abuja, claiming a troubling trend of partisanship, particularly regarding cases related to Rivers State. They called for urgent action from the NJC to suspend Chief Justice John Tsoho and Justices Peter Lifu, Emeka Nwite, and James Omotosho, citing severe doubts about their impartiality.
JAD requested a forensic audit of over 32 cases assigned by Justice Tsoho to these judges, arguing that their involvement raises significant concerns regarding bias and conflicts of interest that could undermine public confidence in the judiciary.
“We urge the National Judicial Council to take decisive action. The integrity of the Federal High Court must be preserved, and these judges must not be allowed to tarnish the reputation of our judicial system,” JAD stated.
The coalition also called upon the newly elected President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Chief Afam Osigwe SAN, and all legal professionals to oppose these infractions at the Federal High Court. They proposed that the NBA encourage lawyers to boycott court proceedings involving Justices Lifu, Omotosho, and Nwite regarding Rivers State matters, asserting that these judges have aligned themselves with specific political interests.
Furthermore, Godwin Meliga, President of Ethnic Youth Leaders, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his independence speech. He emphasised the importance of addressing systemic issues damaging Nigeria’s democratic processes, particularly local governance.
Meliga urged all Nigerians at home and abroad to pay attention to the coalition’s concerns about the attacks on democratic processes, especially in light of the upcoming Rivers State local government elections.
Chief Perry Opara, Chairman of the National Interest Group, shared intelligence from various stakeholders indicating that some Federal High Court judges have obstructed local government elections in Rivers State, scheduled for October 5th. He questioned why Rivers State was singled out when many other states have successfully conducted their elections.
“The ongoing interference raises serious questions about the motives of those involved. Why are these judges consistently issuing ex-parte orders against local government elections in Rivers State?” Opara asked, calling for accountability and integrity within the judicial system.
The coalition concluded their statements by reiterating their commitment to upholding democratic values and ensuring the judiciary serves its intended purpose without succumbing to political influences.
