Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has expressed deep concern over what it described as the increasing issuance of frivolous court orders and ex-parte injunctions by judges, particularly in politically sensitive cases. HURIWA particularly noted the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State and tasked the National Judicial Council (NJC) to as a matter of necessity, sanction judicial officers involved in the act, warning that such practices could jeopardize Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.
It noted that the political turmoil in Rivers State which is being intensified by conflicting court orders by various judges, mirrors Nigeria’s troubled political history and threatens the stability of its democratic processes.
HURIWA in a statement by its National coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, noted that in recent weeks, Rivers State has witnessed legal battle, with judges from Federal High Courts in Abuja issuing restraining orders that appear to destabilize the duly elected administration in the state.
It also said that many of the court orders are tainted by allegations of bribery, thereby further eroding public trust in the judiciary, and therefore warned that the judiciary is at risk of becoming a tool for political manipulation, with corrupt judges contributing to the erosion of democratic order.
HURIWA said; “The judiciary must not be reduced to a pawn in political games. There is a disturbing trend of judges, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory, issuing reckless court orders aimed at destabilizing legitimate governments and undermining democratic processes”.
It called on the NJC to take swift and decisive action to address the growing corruption within the judiciary, stressing that judicial officers or lawyers found complicit in issuing or facilitating dubious court orders must face serious consequences.
HURIWA further said; “The NJC must rise to its responsibilities and ensure that corrupt judges are held accountable. This issue goes beyond Rivers State. It’s about the survival of our democracy. Judges who issue orders in exchange for bribes are not only breaking the law but also undermining the will of the people”.
The human rights organization also urged the NJC to establish mechanisms to monitor the issuance of ex-parte and restraining orders in politically charged cases, adding that such would help safeguard the judiciary’s integrity and restore public confidence in the system.
It also attributed judicial corruption to undue influence exerted by the executive branch on the judiciary, saying that a recent development where the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, announced plans to build 40 houses for Justices of the Court of Appeal, Federal High Court, and other senior judicial officers, revealed that President Bola Tinubu had approved the construction, which includes retirement homes for the Chief Judges of the Federal High Court, FCT, and the President of the Court of Appeal.
HURIWA strongly condemned this move, labeling it a blatant example of the executive’s political capture of the judiciary, stressing that it is a dangerous precedent.
According to HURIWA; “When judges are gifted lands and houses by the executive, a conflict of interest compromises their independence. The allocation of Abuja lands as political patronage to judges is a trap designed to ensure their loyalty to the executive”.
It therefore called on the National Assembly to urgently pass legislation prohibiting judges from receiving such perks from the executive, stressing that the judiciary’s independence is non-negotiable and must be fiercely protected to uphold the rule of law in Nigeria.
HURIWA also said; “The National Assembly must act to protect our democracy. We need laws that prevent judges from accepting gifts like land allocations from the executive. These gifts are not acts of generosity; they are political tools meant to manipulate the judiciary”.
The rights group also highlighted other recent examples of judicial interference in democratic processes, including the manipulation of internal party affairs and the issuance of conflicting rulings by courts of concurrent jurisdiction, adding that the actions undermine democracy and weaken the rule of law.
“We have witnessed courts interfering in the internal affairs of political parties, issuing conflicting rulings that throw the political system into chaos. This cannot continue. The judiciary should be the last hope of the common man, not a tool for politicians to disrupt governance and elections,” HURIWA said.
It particularly called on the newly appointed Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to immediately restore public confidence in the judiciary by acting swiftly to stem the tide of corruption and bribery within the judiciary.
In the words of HURIWA; “If these actions go unchecked, they will lead to the total collapse of our democratic system. We are at a critical moment where the survival of Nigeria’s constitutional democracy depends on the judiciary’s integrity”.
HURIWA warned that if no action is taken, the judiciary risks becoming completely subservient to political interests, effectively destroying the foundation of Nigeria’s democratic order.
