The ongoing Kogi state gubernatorial dispute has led NigAbdul Ramakrishna erians to express their disillusionment with the judiciary, which they perceive as being manipulated by politicians.
In response to this crisis, a civil society group, Citizens for Justice, organised a seminar in Lokoja, the Kogi state capital, advocating judicial reform and transformative democracy.
The event brought together legal experts, activists and concerned citizens to emphasise the need for a reformed judiciary that upholds justice, fairness and accountability in governance.
Its convener, Barrister Yahaya Abdulganiyu, highlighted the importance of judicial independence and the need for reforms to enhance transparency and efficiency in the legal system. Abdulganiyu, in his statement made available to the press, expressed disappointment over Kogi state’s negative attention in the media due to various litigations, accusations of judicial bribery, inducing the tribunal and Appeal Court and former Governor Yahaya Bello’s corruption case.
Speaking at the event, human rights advocate Dr Nafisa Ozovehe Ibrahim emphasised the role of a reformed judiciary in advancing social justice and equality. She advised the National Judicial Council to enforce strict disciplinary measures against corrupt judges. Ibrahim pointed out that judges are now perceived as tools in the hands of political actors, raising concerns about judiciary’s impartiality and independence.
According to her, “In Kogi state, for example, there are allegations of multi-billion naira bribes to secure favourable judgments in favour of Governor Usman Ododo; people were alleging that judges were being paid over N10 billion to give judgement in favour of the APC; no wonder its supporters were already congratulating themselves and the governor 72 hours to the judgment everywhere on social media. Of course, there was a leak of privileged information to the public. It is unfortunate that, a once-respected judges are now seen as mere tools in the hands of political actors.”
Barrister Abel Babatunde, one of the speakers, said the essence of the seminar was to brainstorm and resolve the need for the federal government to build a robust judiciary, essential for safeguarding citizens’ rights and ensure the rule of law.
According to him, “Kogi state has been in the news for so many reasons; different litigations, accusations of judges being induced by cash to give favourable judgments and the corruption case of former Governor Yahaya Bello who has been declared wanted with several legal disputes from various quarters. It is disappointing and retrogressive for a state like Kogi to be constantly in the news for negative reasons”.
The seminar concluded with a panel discussion in which participants shared their perspectives on challenges facing the judiciary and proffered solutions for reform.
Regarding the Kogi gubernatorial dispute, the forum urged the Supreme Court to protect democracy by rectifying alleged errors made by the tribunal and the Court of Appeal.
Despite evidence of alleged discrepancies in voter accreditation and election results, both courts dismissed the Social Democratic Party’s case against Governor Ododo’s victory, citing insufficient evidence of electoral malpractice and non-compliance with the Electoral Act.
Usman Abdulrazak,
Lokoja, Kogi state.
