Get Guardian on GoogleA coalition of civil society organisations has called on the judiciary to uphold its independence and restore public confidence in the courts amid an ongoing legal dispute involving Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma.
The coalition urged judges handling the matter to resist political interference and determine the case strictly on its merits, describing the proceedings as an opportunity for the judiciary to address lingering concerns over controversial judicial decisions involving Imo State.
The organisations made the call in a joint statement issued in Bauchi State and signed by Job Samuel Danfulani of the Centre for Public Integrity; John Samuel Nangi of Nigeria Integrity Watch; Mohammed Ibrahim Sumaila of the Northern Council of Nigeria; Abdullahi Salisu of the Nigeria Ethnic Nationality Forum; and Hassana Mohammed of the Foundation for Democracy in Africa.
The coalition questioned conflicting accounts surrounding Uzodimma’s emergence as the All Progressives Congress candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District election.
It alleged that while the governor claimed to have secured the party’s ticket through Option A4, the APC national leadership reportedly told the Federal High Court that his emergence was through a consensus arrangement.
Describing the accounts as contradictory, the group alleged that the process was fraudulent and warned against any attempt to manipulate the judicial process to secure a Senate seat.
The organisations also recalled the January 2020 Supreme Court judgment that overturned the election of Emeka Ihedioha and declared Uzodimma the winner of the Imo State governorship election, noting that the decision had generated controversy and raised questions about public confidence in the judiciary.
They said the latest legal dispute involving Uzodimma and former governor Rochas Okorocha had revived concerns about the credibility of judicial decisions involving the state.
The coalition further referenced comments attributed to former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, who reportedly said in February 2023 that some Supreme Court justices involved in the judgment were denied United States visas, while their aides were granted visas.
Duke was quoted as saying that the justices had intended to attend a legal retreat in the United States but were unsuccessful in their visa applications.
The organisations also cited allegations by human rights lawyer, Chidi Odinkalu, concerning Uzodimma’s early political associations, including claims that he worked as a driver and associate of the late Maurice Ibekwe, a former member of the House of Representatives who died in Kirikiri Prison in 2004 while standing trial for fraud-related allegations.
The coalition, however, maintained that the judiciary must focus on the evidence before it and ensure that the ongoing proceedings are determined without external influence.
“The temple of justice must stand up to any fraudulent attempt by anyone to smuggle himself into the 11th Senate,” it said.
It also called on security agencies to investigate reports circulating in the South-East that Uzodimma was positioning himself to become Nigeria’s first Igbo president.
The group said it had no objection to the governor pursuing a presidential ambition but insisted that the circumstances surrounding the reports should be properly investigated.
It recalled that Deji Adeyanju and the late Ariyo-Dare, under the Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy and Constitution, had previously petitioned the United States over proposed visa restrictions against Supreme Court justices.
The organisations urged the judiciary to learn from past controversies and avoid decisions capable of further eroding public trust in the courts.
Meanwhile, the coalition commended the presiding judge, Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, for what it described as his courage and commitment to judicial integrity.
It alleged that the judge had resisted attempts to influence him despite pressure and lobbying, describing his conduct as an example of the judicial independence needed to strengthen the justice system.
The group called for national recognition of judges who uphold the principles of fairness and independence, saying Egwuatu deserved commendation for his commitment to justice.
