The Northern Elders Forum says it is “deeply worried” about the current state of affairs within the Nigerian judiciary. In a statement made available to journalists on Friday, the Convener of the Forum, Prof Ango Abdullahi, stressed the need for the judiciary to exercise caution in its activities “to prevent the erosion of its integrity, public trust, and confidence.”

Abdullahi noted with concern the controversies surrounding recent judicial decisions, particularly concerning election petitions, adding that such occurrences posed a significant threat to the future of democracy in Nigeria.

While recognising the importance of a fair and impartial judicial system, Abdullahi warned that any actions that compromised such principles could undermine the foundation of the country’s democracy and called on the judiciary to uphold those virtues.

The statement read, “The Northern Elders Forum recognises the importance of a fair and impartial judiciary in upholding the rule of law and safeguarding democratic principles. The judiciary plays a critical role in ensuring justice, protecting citizens’ rights, and preserving the credibility of the electoral process. Any actions that compromise these principles undermine the very foundation of any democratic nation.

“NEF, therefore, calls on all levels of the judiciary to uphold the highest ethical standards and maintain impartiality in their decision-making processes. It urges judges to exhibit unwavering integrity and resilience when adjudicating cases, especially those pertaining to elections.

The Forum said the judiciary played a crucial role in ensuring a balance between other arms of government and warned that the current trend may lead politicians “to view politics as a do-or-die affair.”

“The judiciary plays a crucial role in sustaining constitutional democracy by ensuring the rule of law, protecting individual rights, and providing checks and balances on the other branches of government.

“The current trend may encourage politicians to view politics as a do-or-die affair. When the judiciary fails to effectively adjudicate disputes and hold politicians accountable for their actions, it creates an environment where politicians feel emboldened to engage in corrupt practices, abuse their power, and disregard the principles of democracy,” the statement added..

Abdullahi also noted that such actions could erode trust in the judiciary and jeopardise constitutionalism, adding that without a fully functional judiciary, citizens could lose trust in the democratic process

The Forum also urged relevant authorities and members of the public to expose any allegations of corruption and undue compromise within the judiciary and that any substantiated claims should be swiftly prosecuted, which would serve as a deterrent to others who may be tempted to taint the judiciary’s reputation.

“The NEF called on the public to remain vigilant as to the direction the nation’s judiciary is headed and not to hesitate to expose any perceived misconduct on the part of the judiciary. It is our firm belief that a strong and incorruptible judiciary is crucial for the development and progress of our great nation,” the statement concluded.

@jibrinSAN
Nigeria cannot develop with the current attitude of almost all Nigerians accepting what is wrong as right. We have imbibed this terrible culture of managing evil and bad behavior as good in Nigeria. Check all our institutions, there is hardly any that is not tolerant of evil and corruption in those institutions. Many who know what is wrong are afraid of pointing them out. That is the hypocracy in Nigeria.

Take democracy in Nigeria for instance. Almost all the actors know that there is no democracy in the true sense of the word. We have compromised the institutions. Most of the staff of INEC are completely compromised in the Nigerian ways.

Justice is also compromised.There are many ways Nigerias have compromised justice. In costs justice is compromised. Litigations are too expensive in Nigeria. To get documents to prosecute electoral malfeasances from public institutions is as hard as a camel passing through the eyes of a needle.

Many roadblocks are put on the ways of justice in Nigeria's electoral jurisprudence. Lawyers too have their fair share of the blame here. We have many compromises in our justice delivery system that if we are not careful the ripple effects on Nigerian people will be too catastrophic for all of us. The way we have accepted compromised institutions is too dangerous for the survival of our nation.

No nation that lack good citizens with enforceable set standards can develop.The people manning our institutions must appreciate that whatever evil they planted today or whatever evils they put stamp of authorities today will germinate to affect all tomorrow.

Nigerians must all rise to build institutions for the good of all tomorrow. We have tolerated so much wrong things in Nigeria. In the judiciary, we must show the light in the legal profession by sound principles that do not lead to the collapse of democracy.

No principle that approves of electoral malfeasances should be propounded. Democracy is about the people and when the will of the people are circumvented the Judicial institution must not be seen to sanction the desecration of the sovereignty of the people. It must not approve impunity and impurity as a way of attaining political power in Nigeria.

This is my take. It shall be well with our institutions one day.

Nukilia:
Na now your day just dey break

Racoon:
https://punchng.com/nef-raises-concern-over-state-of-judiciary/

"Recent controversial court judgements pose risk to democracy" - NEF
https://tribuneonlineng.com/recent-controversial-court-judgements-pose-risk-to-democracy-nef/

Racoon:
Every sane and well conscious person knows so well that Tinubu doesn't possess the personality of a democrat. Infact he is a notorious narcotics drug trafficker, a certified certificate forger engaging in criminal state capture, who propagated a grab, snatch and run away emilokan agenda during the last general elections.

Now, even the feudal power Lords themselves also know that something is terribly wrong with the last baston of democracy. The Court of Appeal is now asking counsels to return judgements for editing in a brazen case of judicial robbery.

Imagine even the current Supreme Court now delivering judgments based on technicalities or Judicial loopholes. Never in history. Not even during the military eras, during the time of reverred Supreme Court judges like Justice Niki Tobi, Justice Idris Kutigi, Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, Justice Aloma Murtar, Justice Alfa Belgore,

Real political power is not attained by criminal subvertion of the electioneering, judicial, democratic, and constitutional processes. It always have fatal socio-politico-military consequences.

Djele:
The revolution will start in kano

XY23:


Nigeria’s 3 Arms of government under Tinubu:
1. Executive
2. Executive Legislature
3. Executive Judiciary

gaskiyamagana:
Senior Writer, Lamentations Magazine, Obi Publisher
Alien Estate, Lagos.