…Urges Judiciary to Uphold Public Trust, Calls for Government Compliance with Court Orders
An 11-member Independent Judicial Accountability Panel (IJAP), led by retired Justice Mojeed Owoade of the Court of Appeal, has criticized the Supreme Court’s handling of the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State. The panel, which includes three retired justices, raised concerns over the apex court’s ruling on consolidated appeals, stating that it left critical legal questions unanswered.
In a statement issued after its inaugural meeting in Abuja on Friday, March 14, 2025, the panel questioned whether the alleged defection of 27 lawmakers from the Rivers State House of Assembly had been conclusively addressed. “The court made comments on the issue of defection without actually resolving it,” the panel observed.
While acknowledging that the Supreme Court had no concrete evidence before it at the time to prove the lawmakers had lost their seats, the panel argued that the judiciary should avoid making pronouncements on matters still under litigation. However, it ruled out any possibility of a judicial review, noting that the Supreme Court had become functus officio on the case.
The panel further cautioned against complex and lengthy court rulings that hinder public comprehension, warning that such judgments could erode confidence in the judiciary.
Judiciary, Government, and Citizens Urged to Uphold Accountability
As part of its recommendations, IJAP advised politicians to refrain from influencing judicial processes and called for greater mutual accommodation among political actors in the interest of good governance. It also urged all levels of government to respect court rulings and fundamental human rights.
Expressing concern over the Federal Government’s continued non-compliance with the ECOWAS Court’s judgment awarding damages to victims of the October 2020 EndSARS protests, the panel emphasized the need for adherence to both domestic and international legal obligations.
“IJAP recommends that the Federal Government of Nigeria obey orders not only of our domestic courts but also those of international courts, in line with its obligations under various treaties. The panel recognizes that concerted citizen action will be necessary for achieving this,” the statement read.
The panel also called on the media to intensify investigative journalism and maintain factual, non-partisan reporting on the judiciary’s role in democracy.
Panel Composition and Origins
Other members of the panel include retired Justices Chinwe Iyizoba and Oludoton Adefope-Okojie, alongside legal and civil society experts such as Prof. Okechukwu Ibeanu, Prof. Jummai Audi, Mr. Mac Imoni Amarere, Barr. Sechap A. Tsokwa, Andrew Mamedu, Judith Gbagidi, Barr. Funmi Olukeye, and Celestine Okwudil.
The IJAP initiative stems from a broader project by ActionAid Nigeria and the Citizens’ Led Engagement on Judicial Accountability in Post-Election Justice Delivery in Nigeria (CLEAP-Justice), launched in July 2023. According to ActionAid’s Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, the project has since expanded beyond electoral disputes to promote broader judicial accountability.
With judicial integrity under renewed scrutiny, the panel’s findings underscore the growing demand for transparency, fairness, and adherence to the rule of law in Nigeria’s judicial system.
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