Rise and save the judiciary, coalition charges Nigerians

A coalition of civil society and human rights groups has challenged Nigerians to rise up and defend the country’s judiciary and save it from abuse, assault and total humiliation by the powers that be.

At a press conference on Sunday at the FCT Secretariat, Utako Abuja, the coalition under the umbrella of Alliance for the Preservation of Democracy (APD) said the Nigerian judiciary is currently at a crossroad, intimidated and harassed both from within and outside itself, adding that the behavioural pattern of some judges had emboldened overzealous security agents to unleash acts of impunity and rascality on judges who are supposed to be held in very high esteem by the both the government and the people.

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Citing the recent ruling of the Supreme Court in the Imo State governorship election outcome, APG said the apex court carried out a judgment that could be described as both shocking and Tsunamic, adding that it was a reflection of the general decay in the judiciary and why the ugly and dangerous trends should be arrested before it could be too late.

Apart from blaming the government and government agencies for meddling into the affairs of the judiciary thereby compromising its independence, the coalition made up of four different groups asked the judiciary to purge itself of unwholesome instincts in order to redeem and liberate itself from total annihilation.

Those that signed the statement read at the conference are Igho Akeregha, President, Civil Liberties Organization (CLO); Ugochukwu Ezekiel, Co-founder Center Against Brutality and for Safety of Journalist in Africa (CABSOJA); Lemmy Ughegbe of Make A Difference Initiative (MAD) and Ibiang Livinus, Vice Chairman Model Leadership Foundation (MLF).

According to them, “As you are all aware, our country stands at a dangerous judicial crossroad, which if not urgently addressed will erode the values of reprieve, justice and faith in the very institution that ordinarily should stand above the vagaries of politics and compromise.

“I should state quickly that this press conference is not wholly about the shocking and Tsunamic judgment of the Apex Court on the Imo governorship appeal, rather the general decay in the judiciary and why it should be arrested for our collective good.

“Today, judgments are more political than judicial. Judges are ruled by fear of what could befall them if they act contrary to the famed ‘body language’ of those that wield executive powers. It is in this sense that we are concerned. We challenge all Nigerians to come together and seek for ways to save the judiciary from self-destruct.”

Continuing, the Alliance stated that it is still a waiting game to see how the Supreme Court will explain its historical ruling on the Imo gubernatorial contest owing to its obvious somersault on legal precedents it had established prior to the curious judgment of Tuesday, January 14, 2020.

“We are not unmindful that right from the moment security operatives in Gestapo manner, laid siege to the homes of judges and thereafter the grave assault in the removal of the Justice Walter Onnoghen, judges across the country are in great peril, therefore wont to pander to some interests. The reason is because some of them are mired in conduct unbecoming of judicial officers, therefore, susceptible to blackmail by agents of State.

“It is imperative that those who are already compromised should seek for penance through the NJC or come public so as to have the moral courage to deliver judgments not only according to the law but their conscience.

“Furthermore, it is about time that Nigerians stand in defence of the judiciary as it serves as the last bastion of safety, decency and guardian of the rule of law. For too long have Nigerians shirked their duty of rallying behind a key arm of government that needs to be shielded from the vagaries of the other two arms. If we allow the judiciary and judicial officers to continual be muddied and bullied, then we should all count ourselves lost.

“Also, the judges should be circumspect in making pronunciations or reaching decisions. Theirs is a sacred duty and on many occasions, they hold the key to life and death. For instance, how can a judge ask a Defendant alleged to have misappropriated N100m to bring a civil servant as surety in the sum of N1bn? Is this not invariably asking that he brings an individual that has corruptly enriched himself at public expense, or that the one on trial should find no remedy in the law? What is the essence of the law if not justice and correction?

As things are, judicial officers must embark on soul searching while we as citizens – corporate or otherwise – must work to insulate the judiciary from the grievous assault of those determined to upend our democracy and cast a cloud over our common destiny.”

In conclusion, the Alliance said “It is our expectation that as the Apex Court moves to deliver judgments on other pending appeals; it will stand on firm footing and not be swayed by any sentiment other than justice for the common good.”