The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has raised alarm over the growing trend of judges issuing questionable court orders, particularly in politically charged cases, which threatens Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.
Citing the ongoing political unrest in Rivers State as a glaring example, HURIWA has called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to take immediate action against judicial officers involved in such practices.
The rights group warned that the judiciary’s integrity is at risk, with rampant corruption and undue influence from the executive branch undermining public trust.
HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, pointed to recent restraining orders issued by judges in the Federal High Courts in Abuja, destabilizing the duly elected administration in Rivers State.
Onwubiko emphasized that many of these court orders are tainted by allegations of bribery, turning the judiciary into a tool for political manipulation.
“The judiciary must not become a pawn in political games,” Onwubiko stated, warning that the judiciary’s role as a protector of democratic order is being eroded by corrupt judges.
HURIWA urged the NJC to hold judges accountable for issuing dubious orders, noting that such practices extend beyond Rivers State and pose a grave threat to the nation’s democratic stability.
The rights group also criticized the growing influence of the executive over the judiciary, highlighting a controversial move by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike.
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Wike recently announced plans to build 40 houses for senior judges, including the Chief Judges of the Federal High Court and the President of the Court of Appeal, with approval from President Bola Tinubu.
HURIWA condemned the initiative, warning that such gifts compromise judicial independence and foster political loyalty.
“This is a dangerous precedent,” HURIWA said. “When judges receive gifts like houses or land from the executive, their independence is compromised, and the judiciary becomes vulnerable to manipulation.”
HURIWA called on the National Assembly to swiftly pass legislation prohibiting judges from receiving perks from the executive, stressing that such practices undermine the rule of law. “These gifts are not acts of generosity; they are political tools designed to influence judicial decisions,” HURIWA asserted.
In addition to urging the NJC to monitor ex-parte orders in politically sensitive cases, HURIWA appealed to the newly appointed Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to take urgent steps in restoring public confidence in the judiciary. The group warned that if left unchecked, judicial corruption would lead to the collapse of Nigeria’s democratic system.
“We are at a critical moment where the survival of Nigeria’s democracy depends on the judiciary’s integrity,” HURIWA concluded.
“The CJN must act swiftly to root out corruption and safeguard the judiciary’s independence, or risk seeing the nation’s democratic foundations crumble.”