Diplomats rally judicial reform to boost Nigerians’ confidence

Decry alleged interference in Rivers, Osun, Benue cases

Members of United World Congress of Diplomats (UN-WCD) rose from an emergency meeting with a call for the total reform of Nigeria’s judicial system to boost the confidence of Nigerians.

UN-WCD, led by Dr Tunji John Asaolu, at a press conference held in Abuja, yesterday explained that the call was necessitated by alleged undue inference of judicial workers in Rivers, Osun, Benue states on political issues, where conflicting orders were issued by judges just to frustrate democracy.

He referred to Osun State, where there was a conflicting state High Court order and Appeal Court judgment over the dissolution of local government council chairmen and their reinstatement and a fresh election by the state electoral empire.

The professor of Politics and International Studies said the most worrisome of all was the alleged interference by the Benue State Chief Judge, Maurice Ikpambese, when he allegedly tried to undermine justice by granting waiver to petitioners at local government election tribunal not to pay security deposit as stipulated by law.

UN-WCD contended that the conduct was against the core objectives of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG), designed to: Promote adherence by each state party to the universal values and principles of democracy and respect for human rights; and also the principle of the rule of law premised upon the respect for, and the supremacy of the Constitution and constitutional order in the political arrangements of the state parties.

UN-WCD called on the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the National Judicial Council (NJC) to exercise caution and restraint in passing judgment on the removal of Justice Maurice Ikpambese until a thorough investigation is conducted.

“We emphasise the importance of upholding the rule of law and ensuring accountability for all public officials, including judges. Any acts of misconduct or abuse of power must be met with swift and decisive action to maintain public trust and confidence in the judiciary,” they noted.

They, therefore, urged the NJC and the NBA to act in accordance with the truth and uphold the rule of law by condemning any illegal actions committed by any chief judge, rather than endorsing or supporting any questionable conduct.

They also called on the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mr Lateef Fagbemi, to initiate an independent panel to investigate allegations of financial irregularities and breaches of ethical standards attributed to Chief Judge Ikpambese of Benue State.