CISLAC Decries Court Judgement Stopping Rivers State Allocation
…Warns against destabilizing Nigerian democracy
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), has expressed serious concern over the judgement of a Federal High Court, Abuja stopping the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other financial institutions from releasing the monthly allocations to the Rivers State Government.
CISLAC warned that judicial decisions of this nature pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy, economic stability, and the public’s confidence in the judicial system.
A statement by Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, Executive Director of CISLAC, said that it is deeply troubling that certain judicial rulings appear to serve the interests of a select few, thereby undermining the rule of law and the foundational tenets of Nigeria’s democracy.
In the words of Rafsanjani; “Nigeria’s states are vital components of our constitutional framework, led by elected governors charged with managing resources for the benefit of citizens.
“Blocking allocations not only undermines this autonomy but sets a dangerous precedent, risking destabilization and endangering regions currently at peace”.
The CISLAC Executive Director, who is also the head of Transparency International-Nigeria, called attention to the growing perception that some judicial actors are compromising the integrity of Nigeria’s judiciary.
He said; “In the past, positions in our judiciary were held with integrity, and reckless rulings were unthinkable. But, recent events in Kano and Rivers suggest a troubling trend, where rulings risk eroding public trust, discouraging investment, and further challenging our judicial processes and systems”.
CISLAC noted the role of international accountability, stressing that Judicial officers should remember that organizations like Transparency International and the World Justice Project rank judiciary systems globally.
The statement further said; “Nigeria’s position on the Transparency Perception Index reflects our need for transparent governance. Actions that disrupt constitutional allocations will only harm our global standing and drive away potential investors who lack confidence in the judicial system”.
CISLAC therefore urged the Chief Justice of Nigeria to act decisively in maintaining judicial standards and to caution judges against rulings that could inadvertently destabilize Nigeria’s democracy and economic structure.
It also urged the judiciary to hold firm to democratic values, ensuring that decisions respect the constitution and reflect the will of Nigerians, safeguarding both state and national stability.
It further said; “In these challenging times, CISLAC calls on the judiciary, the executive, and all stakeholders to uphold democratic principles and prioritize the welfare of Nigerians above all other considerations.
“Our nation’s stability, unity, and progress must remain at the forefront of governance efforts”.
