Civil society groups call on UN to investigate alleged misuse of Nigerian judiciary for political gain
On Tuesday, March 26, a group of civil society organizations and legal experts urged the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, Margaret Satterthwaite, to visit Nigeria and look into serious claims that the Nigerian judiciary is being used for political and economic purposes.
In a petition signed by 24 civil society groups, including Egondu Esinwoke, Convener, and Courage Nsirimovu, Coordinator, the organizations claim that political figures like Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and President Bola Tinubu are manipulating the courts to increase their power in Rivers State.
The petition points to a controversial Supreme Court ruling that reinstated 27 lawmakers in Rivers State after they switched political parties. The petitioners argue that this decision goes against an earlier Supreme Court ruling and is meant to cause instability in the Rivers State government.
An 11-member panel, which included three retired justices, reviewed the ruling and called it unjust, suggesting political influence may have affected the decision.
The civil society groups also accuse Nyesom Wike of pressuring judges to rule in his favor. They refer to a human rights article by lawyer Chidi Odinkalu, titled “Wiked Judges and Nyesomized Courts,” which claims that Wike has formed close ties with judges to sway their decisions.
The petitioners also say that the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu is unconstitutional and politically motivated. They believe that the emergency declaration is a way for Wike to take control of the state’s political and economic resources, especially as President Tinubu plans for his re-election.
The President justified the state of emergency by pointing to the Supreme Court ruling, claiming it was necessary for the Rivers State House of Assembly to pass a budget. But civil society groups argue this reasoning is just an excuse for political manipulation.
The petitioners are calling on the United Nations to send a team to Nigeria to investigate these allegations and to restore faith in the country’s legal system, which they see as the last hope for ordinary citizens. They are also urging the UN and the international community to push the Nigerian government to protect democracy in Rivers State.
The petition was supported by organizations like Rivers Indigenous NGOs and Civil Society Network (RINGOCS), Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) – Rivers State Chapter, Civil Liberties Organization – South South Zone, Centre for Environment, Human Rights, and Development, Lawyers Alert, and Support Initiative for Sustainable Development (SISDEV).
The petitioners stress that an independent investigation by the UN is crucial to ensure that the judiciary stays free from political pressure and remains an impartial protector of justice.
