U.S., UK, EU urged to impose visa bans on judges undermining democracy in Rivers

The United States, United Kingdom, and European Union have been urged to impose visa bans on judges accused of undermining democracy in Rivers State, Nigeria’s largest crude oil-producing region.
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) gave this urge as part of a larger effort to combat what it called the “judicial emasculation of constitutional democracy” in Rivers State, which it claims threatens the stability of Nigeria’s political landscape.
Addressing the media in Abuja yesterday, HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, disclosed that formal petitions have been submitted to the embassies of the U.S., UK, and EU, calling attention to judicial rulings that appear to favour influential political figures.
The petitions specifically name judges, including Chief Judge John Tsoho, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, and Justice Peter Lifu, whom HURIWA accused of delivering verdicts that align with political interests at the expense of justice in Rivers State
Onwubiko highlighted a particularly contentious ruling by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which halted federal revenue allocations to Rivers State.
According to the organisation, the decision was based on a controversial claim that Governor Siminalayi Fubara presented the 2024 state budget to just four members of the legislature instead of the full assembly.

The group argued that this ruling served the interests of a political faction allegedly loyal to former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
“Rivers State’s constitutional democracy is under direct threat from a judiciary that appears more aligned with political agenda than with the rule of law,” Onwubiko declared.
He emphasised that the judiciary’s perceived bias is undermining the faith of the Nigerian people in the country’s democratic institutions, especially in politically sensitive regions like Rivers State.
As part of its strategy, Onwubiko informed that HURIWA is organising a high-profile international event in Brisbane, Australia, by the end of the year.
The event, titled: “Judicial Emasculation of Constitutional Democracy in Rivers State, Nigeria,” will focus on the judicial controversies impacting Rivers State.
The organisation called for international solidarity which has already garnered interest from global human rights organisations, who view the Brisbane event as a platform to advocate for judicial reform in Nigeria.
“We in HURIWA are confident that sustained international attention will pressure the Nigerian judiciary to return to its core function as an impartial arbiter of justice,” Onwubiko added.