A coalition of different organisations have
tasked the National Judicial Council (NJC) to look seriously into questionable judgments and ex-parte orders being dished out by some judges.
The groups, under the aegis of Joint Action for Democracy (JAD) comprising political parties, lawyers and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) at a world press conference in Abuja, vowed to march to NJC and foreign missions to demand sack and visa ban on some of the judges if what is noted continued.
High Chief Peter Ameh, the National Coordinator, who spoke on behalf JAD, expressed deep discontent regarding the apparent silence of relevant authorities.
The groups said that the press conference served as a clarion call for accountability within the judicial system.
JAD said: “In response to these alarming developments, ethnic youth leaders, lawyers, and former presidential candidates will march to the National Judicial Council (NJC) and foreign missions. Also to advocate for a visa ban on them due to their involvement in issuing questionable judgments and exparte rulings that undermine public trust in the judiciary.
“These judges have allegedly been involved in partisan activities while on the bench. They have been known to use their discretion to issue Exparte Orders in place of court judgments. Their activities have come to our attention, and it is high time they are stopped.
“These judges have taken a personal interest in Rivers State, its House of Assembly, political parties, Local Government elections, and everything else associated with the state. They have consistently presented their orders from politically tainted viewpoints without recourse to the provisions of the law.”
The coalition commended the Rivers State judiciary, particularly Justice I.P.C. Igwe, adding, “his recent judgement mandating the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RIVSIEC) to conduct local government elections on October 5th is a significant step towards upholding democratic principles in Rivers State. This decision aligns with the Supreme Court’s ruling that mandates all states to hold elections for Local Government Area (LGA) Chairmen and Councillors within three months. It is crucial for democracy that these elections take place without undue delay or interference.
“We commend Justice I.P.C. Igwe because his judgment keeps the peace in Rivers State today. The plan by the enemies of our country working in high places to throw Rivers State into anarchy has been effectively arrested by Justice Igwe’s judgment.
JAD urged all stakeholders in Nigeria’s democracy to join hands in this fight for justice and integrity within our courts, adding, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the APC keep quiet, thinking it is for their political benefit now, so all the rot can continue. But when this serpent turns into a dragon tomorrow, they should not complain because, assuredly, it will go round.”
JAD, which represent a coalition that includes political party chairmen, the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), National Interest Defenders, Lawyers in Defence of Democracy, the Forum of Past and Present Chairmen of Political Parties, the Council of Ethnic Youth Leaders of Nigeria, and various other civil society groups, complained about the activities of some judges of the Federal High Court, Abuja.
“These judges have allegedly been involved in partisan activities while on the bench. They have been known to use their discretion to issue Exparte Orders in place of court judgments. Their activities have come to our attention, and it is high time they are stopped.
“These judges have taken a personal interest in Rivers State, its House of Assembly, political parties, Local Government elections, and everything else associated with the state. They have consistently presented their orders from politically tainted viewpoints without recourse to the provisions of the law.
“In the process, therefore, they have abused the very high powers of their office, somersaulted on the reasons behind their rulings, decided cases with only the reasoning that their decision favours their political interests, exceeded or acted without jurisdiction, abused their discretionary powers of interim and interlocutory orders by dishing out exparte orders recklessly, delivered very questionable judgments and have brought the name of the judiciary and particularly the Federal High Court, Abuja to disrepute. The world, and especially indigenes and residents of Rivers State, no longer treat their words with the respect that pronouncements from the court ought to command but see them only from the political prism and refer to them as political judges or, more particularly, as pro-Wike judges.
The coalition commended the Rivers State judiciary, particularly Justice I.P.C. Igwe, adding, “his recent judgement mandating the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RIVSIEC) to conduct local government elections on October 5th is a significant step towards upholding democratic principles in Rivers State. This decision aligns with the Supreme Court’s ruling that mandates all states to hold elections for Local Government Area (LGA) Chairmen and Councillors within three months. It is crucial for democracy that these elections take place without undue delay or interference.
“We commend Justice I.P.C. Igwe because his judgment keeps the peace in Rivers State today. The plan by the enemies of our country working in high places to throw Rivers State into anarchy has been effectively arrested by Justice Igwe’s judgment.
“However, we are deeply concerned about certain judges within the Federal High Court in Abuja. We believe that there has been a troubling trend of partisanship among some judges, particularly those presiding over cases related to Rivers State matters. It is time to salvage the integrity of the Federal High Court and the Nigerian judiciary. They have turned the Federal High Court into the playground for pro-Wike groups.
“We hereby call upon the National Judicial Council (NJC) to take immediate action by suspending Justice John Tsoho, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, along with Justices Peter Lifu, Emeka Nwite, and James Omotosho. These judges’ actions and decisions have raised serious questions about their impartiality and commitment to justice. The NJC should not keep quiet and wait for petitions when they have been hearing the cries of different groups and citizens about what is happening in the Federal High Court.
“Furthermore, we urge the NJC to order a forensic audit of over 32 cases that Justice Tsoho has explicitly assigned to these pro-Wike judges regarding Rivers State issues. The assignment of these cases raises concerns about manifest bias and conflicts of interest that could undermine public confidence in our judicial system. We believe these biased and pro-Wike judges must cease to be involved in Rivers State cases. Their continued participation undermines public confidence in the judiciary and compromises the principle of impartiality foundational to our legal system. Therefore, we are calling for their compulsory retirement from the bench.
“We urge the newly elected President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Chief Afam Osigwe SAN, and all members of the legal profession to take a stand against these infractions at the Federal High Court. The NBA must embody justice and integrity by vocally opposing these infractions. We propose that the NBA issue a directive encouraging lawyers to boycott any court proceedings by Justices Peter Lifu, James Omotosho, and Emeka Nwite concerning Rivers State matters. These judges have aligned with specific political interests, which is unacceptable.”
Also speaking in the same vein, the President of Ethnic Youth Leaders, Godwin Meliga, congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his independence Speech, adding, “having listened to our President’s speech yesterday, it further strengthens our resolve as Nigerian Youths and as Ethnic youth leaders to continue to speak truth to power and expose all the rots that is destroying the fabrics of our collective efforts as a nation for a better Nigeria.
“Remember, not too long ago, you all gave us listening ears when we spoke about the dangers and the mistrust in our banking sector, ranging from troubling concerns surrounding investors funds, the negative outcomes and the attendant effect it impacts on investors’ confidence to unwarranted, unexplained, irregular, unlawful, incessant and exorbitant deductions of customers’ funds and the wholesome unethical banking practices that characterizes Banks.
Maliga, has, however called on all Nigerians both home and in diaspora “to please leave whatever they are doing and listen to the text of the press, which we fully endorse on the systematic savagery, attacks and destruction of democratic processes in Nigeria especially as it affects local governance, the only government that is closer to the people, despite the landmark judgment of the Supreme Court and the Federal Government’s directives on constitutional democratic governance in all local government areas in Nigeria.
“We call into aid the well-thought-out plans to sabotage the Rivers State Local Government Council Election scheduled to hold on 5th October, 2024 and the series of attacks against this democratic process and how the Courts have allowed itself to be used as a tool for this dangerous move.
“Even though, our aim at this press conference is to express our displeasures at the destructive aims of some Nigerians, using the instrumentality of our Court’s judicial system and worst of is the fact that the Courts, we mean the Federal High Court has allowed itself to be used to stifle democratic processes in Nigeria, we must not however fail to thank those of our judges who stood their grounds in the face of blackmail and threats to do the right thing. We, as Ethnic Youth leaders wishes to express our satisfaction with the mandatory Orders of the Honourable Justice I.P.C. Igwe made on 4th September, 2024 and the direction that there must be democratic process at all levels in all the local government areas of River State. That is elections must hold in Rivers State on 5th October, 2024 and there is no going back!!!
“We are at the grassroot with the people and we understand the importance of constitutional democratic process and as such, it becomes a marvel how the Federal High Court and some particular judges will allow themselves as a willing tool in the hands of politicians against the conduct of the Rivers state Local Government Council Election scheduled to hold on 5th October, 2024. Of what ultimate good will it be to the people of Rivers state if elections are not conducted and governance is denied the good people of Rivers state?”
Also speaking, Chief Perry Opara, the Chairman, National Interest Group, said they have gathered several intelligence from the courts’ staff, investigative journalist, interest groups, chairmen of political parties and indeed the good people of rivers state who are tired of being denied their constitutional right to choose who to govern them at the local level of how some judges of the Federal High Court have allowed themselves to be used to stifle the conduct of local government elections in Rivers State scheduled to hold on 5th October, 2024 and we begin to wonder how is it that several states, as a matter of fact, about fifteen states have conducted local government election but the Federal High Court do not want Rivers State to conduct theirs.
“The question is why Rivers State? I repeat, why Rivers State, if not for the fact that some greedy politicians who feel they have the backings of the Federal Government do not want to relinquish power and allow governance in Rivers state.
“It is even fundamental to direct these questions to the trio of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, Justice Peter Lifu and Justice Omotosho, why have you decided to allow yourselves to be used as clogs against local government elections? Why are your continuous issuance of Exparte Orders and Rulings against the conduct of local government elections in Rivers State now more or less for the highest bidder? Did you consider the overall interest of the people before saying elections must not hold? Should Nigerians trust any judgment that emanates from your courts in view of the recent happenings? Have you asked yourselves where is Justice Ikpeme and what would be remembered of him order than his announcement that elections should not be conducted and the annulment of June 12, 1993 general elections?”
