A non-governmental organisation, the Nigerian Democracy Working Group, on Wednesday, criticised the obstruction of the local government council election in Kano.

The group further alleged that the court may have compromised its judgement at the expense of justice.

Justice Simon Amobeda on Tuesday dissolved the leadership of the Kano Independent Electoral Commission (KANSIEC), which included the chairman, secretary, and commissioners, on the grounds that they were not qualified to occupy their positions.

The court also restrained the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the voter register to KANSIEC and barred the police, DSS, and NSCDC from participating in the election.

In a statement issued by Dr Vincent Okpara Innocent and Dr Idris A. Mohammed, made available to The Guardian in Kano on Wednesday, the group condemned the recent actions of Justice Simon Amobeda, describing them as “judicial recklessness” aimed at undermining democracy and jeopardising peace and security in the state.

The civil society organisation (CSO) stated: “We condemn this judgement in totality as insensitive, anti-people, anti-democracy, and anti-social justice. It is emotionally loaded.”

According to the group, the judgement exemplifies the court’s incessant judicial recklessness and highlights its potential to trigger conflict and discord in the state.

It added: “It is our firm belief that in every civilised democracy, where the will of the people is respected, courts would not reduce themselves to temples of creating confusion, disharmony, social disunity, and disorder.”

The group criticised the judiciary, stating it has transformed into a “power broker” influenced by emotions and self-interest, disregarding the concerns of ordinary Nigerians.

They called on all Nigerian citizens to condemn the judgement as “irrational, a miscarriage of justice, and ill-timed.”

The group also urged the new Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to take decisive action against Justice Amobeda.

The group disclosed plans to mobilise 1,000 organisations across the country to file a petition against Justice Amobeda, stressing that disciplinary action would serve as a deterrent to others.

The Nigerian Democracy Working Group stressed the need for the new leadership of the judiciary to cleanse the institution of individuals with questionable character and restore its integrity.