Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has called on the Supreme Court to maintain the scheduled October 31 date for hearing on the pending Imo State gubernatorial suits before the November 11 poll in the state.
HURIWA’S National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, made the call at a media briefing in Abuja on Monday
Recall that the court had fixed October 31 to hear two separate appeals filed since 2020, seeking to know the authentic candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2019 election.
The two appeals are fallout of the two judgments delivered by the court in late 2019 and early 2020 in which issues of authenticity of the APC gubernatorial candidate became thorny.
The apex court had disqualified Uche Nwosu from contesting the 2019 poll because he held double nominations of the APC and the Action Alliance (AA). In another judgment in 2020, the Supreme Court removed Emeka Ihedioha of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) as the elected governor. It declared APC’s Hope Uzodimma winner of the 2019 governorship election.
Addressing newsmen, Onwubiko emphasized that justice delayed was justice denied, and that the people of Imo State deserve a prompt resolution to the ongoing political impasse.
He further stressed that the international community was closely watching Nigeria’s efforts to maintain a credible democratic process, and any perceived irregularities could damage the country’s reputation.
HURIWA urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, to resist external pressure and ensure the timely hearing and determination of the crucial cases.
The organization stressed that the Supreme Court’s commitment to justice is paramount in restoring the confidence of the people of Imo State in the judiciary.
“It is essential to acknowledge that this matter has been pending for three years, during which the Supreme Court had not taken action to hear the cases. Now, as the court finally shows its willingness to address these crucial issues, any deviation from the set date would be a severe blow.
“Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done, especially in matters that have caused significant political instability. The people of Imo State and the international community are closely watching the proceedings, and any perceived irregularities could erode trust in the Nigerian judiciary”, Onwubiko said.
The group disclosed an alleged move by some individuals to influence the Supreme Court into changing the hearing date.
The group reiterated what Justice John Tsoho said, “the confidence of Nigerians in the court system is being eroded and this uncertainty and influences coming from politicians that destabilized the hearing of sensitive and strategic litigation is capable of unleashing anarchy.”
