A Beacon of Hope: Justice Otisi-led Panel Upholds the Rule of Law, Illuminating a New Era of Accountability and Transparency in the Nigerian Judiciary, as the ‘Out of Jurisdiction Madness’ in the Abuja Courts of Justice Peter Lifu, Hopefully those of Justice James Omotosho, and Justice Joyce Abdulmalik will be Brought to Light, Exposing the Curious Case of Judges Handling Special Cases from Rivers State.....See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
A Landmark Ruling: Justice Otisi-led Panel Sets the Record Straight
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has nullified the judgement that barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing voters register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) for the conduct of local government elections held on October 5. The court held that the lower court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the suit against the Rivers State LG elections, as Section 28 of the Electoral Act only covers federal elections, governorship, and area council elections in the Federal Capital Territory. The court also faulted the Federal High Court for barring security agencies from providing security during the elections.
In a significant development, a three-member panel, comprising Justice Onyekachi Otisi, Justice Misitura Bokaji-Yusuf, and Justice James Abundaga, has delivered a decisive verdict, unequivocally stating that the lower court’s judgement was fundamentally flawed. Led by the esteemed Justice Otisi.
It is worth noting that this case was brought to Abuja, a jurisdiction that has been criticized for being prone to “judge shopping” by politicians seeking to influence the outcome of cases. This practice has raised concerns about the independence of the judiciary and the potential for political interference in the legal process. The psychologist’s term “notable Abuja judges” suggests that certain judges in Abuja are perceived as being more susceptible to political influence, which can undermine the integrity of the legal system.
Furthermore, it is not just enough to nullify or overturn the judgement. The fact that Justice Peter Lifu, the judge who made the initial ruling, knew the law yet still took on the case, raises serious concerns about his understanding of judicial ethics. His decision to bar security agencies from providing security during the elections was a blatant disregard for the safety and well-being of voters, and a clear abuse of judicial power. It is imperative that Justice Lifu be held accountable for his actions and sent for a refresher course on ethics to ensure that he is equipped to uphold the principles of impartiality and independence that are essential to the judiciary. This is crucial to maintaining public trust in the legal system and ensuring that the rule of law is upheld.
The Court of Appeal’s decision is a welcome development, but it also highlights the need for greater scrutiny of the judiciary and the importance of holding judges accountable for their actions. The judiciary must be seen as a bastion of integrity and impartiality, and any actions that undermine this must be addressed swiftly and decisively.
Questionable Jurisdiction: Spotlight on Notable Abuja Judges’ Decisions
This ruling raises questions about the propriety of other cases that have been brought to Abuja, outside of their jurisdiction, and heard by notable Abuja judges. For instance, Justice James Omotosho’s decision to nullify the 2024 Rivers budget passed by pro-Fubara lawmakers and set aside the presentation and passage of the Rivers state 2024 budget, is a case in point. Similarly, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik’s ruling from the Federal High Court in Abuja, ordering the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to cease all monthly financial allocations to the Rivers State government, is another example of a case that may have been heard outside of its jurisdiction.
The Unsettling Truth: A Blatant Case of Judge Shopping
In reality, Rivers State boasts a pool of capable federal and state judges who can preside over these cases with impartiality and expertise. So, why do Minister Nyesom Wike and his allies insist on taking these cases to Abuja? As a psychologist, not a legal expert, I may not possess the technical know-how, but basic logic screams that this is a blatant case of calculated judge shopping. This egregious practice is not only unethical but also corrosive, undermining the very fabric of the judiciary and the rule of law. It is a flagrant abuse of the legal system, and its implications are far-reaching and devastating.
It is imperative that the judiciary takes a closer look at these cases and ensures that judges are not being used as tools for political interference. The independence of the judiciary and the integrity of the legal system depend on it. The people of Rivers State and Nigeria as a whole deserve better than to have their cases decided by judges who may be influenced by political considerations rather than the law.
A Sign of Hope: Justice Otisi-led Panel Upholds the Rule of Law
In a refreshing display of judicial integrity, the Justice Otisi-led special panel of the Court of Appeal has demonstrated that the Nigerian judiciary is still capable of upholding the rule of law, despite the recent spate of controversial rulings from some Abuja High Court judges. By nullifying the judgement that barred the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing voters register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), the panel has shown that it is committed to doing what is right, rather than succumbing to political pressure or influence. This decision is a beacon of hope for the Nigerian judiciary, which has been in the news for several months due to suspicious and politically motivated rulings from some judges. The Justice Otisi-led panel’s commitment to upholding the law and ensuring that justice is served is a testament to the fact that there are still judges in Nigeria who are dedicated to the principles of fairness, impartiality, and the rule of law.
As this special panel has a lot to resolve, we urge them to continue doing the right thing throughout. The bottom line is that any case coming from Rivers State, where the real cases which are all local, should never have been heard by any Abuja Federal High Court in the first place. It is essential that the panel remains consistent in its commitment to upholding the law and ensuring that justice is served, regardless of the political implications or pressures. By doing so, the panel will not only restore the public’s trust in the judiciary but also demonstrate that the rule of law is still alive and well in Nigeria. We implore the Justice Otisi-led panel to continue on this path of righteousness and ensure that justice is served in all cases that come before them, and to also take a closer look at other cases that have been brought to Abuja from Rivers State, to ensure that justice is served and the rule of law is upheld.
Uncovering the Web of Deceit: The Curious Case of Judges Handling Special Cases from Rivers State
As we delve deeper into the controversy surrounding judges Peter Lifu, Justice James Omotosho, and Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, a disturbing pattern emerges. It appears that these judges have been handling special cases from Rivers State, a fact that raises eyebrows and fuels speculation about their impartiality.
The Rivers State Connection: Uncovering the Web of Deceit
Media reports suggest that FCT Minister Wike, the former Governor of Rivers State, who is currently embroiled in a bitter political battle with the incumbent Governor Siminalayi Fubara, may be behind the manipulation of the judiciary. This revelation is both shocking and disturbing, as it implies that the judiciary is being used as a tool for political vendetta.
The Curious Case of Selective Justice: A Threat to Judicial Independence
It is curious that these judges, who have been accused of flouting the judiciary in terms of jurisdictional matters, have been handling special cases from Rivers State. This raises questions about their independence and impartiality. Are they being influenced by external forces, or are they simply choosing to ignore the law to further their own interests?
The Shame of it All
The fact that the judiciary, an institution meant to uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of citizens, is being used to further political agendas is a shame. It undermines the very fabric of democracy and erodes public trust in the legal system.
The Need for Accountability
In light of these revelations, it is imperative that the Nigerian judiciary leadership takes immediate action to address the situation. The three-member panel led by Justice Onyekachi Otisi must at the end call for the conduct a thorough investigation into the actions of erring judges and take disciplinary action if necessary.
Recommendations
The judiciary should immediately suspend these judges and others who have handled similar cases from handling any further cases, pending the outcome of the investigation.
A thorough audit of all cases handled by these judges should be conducted to identify any patterns of bias or manipulation.
The judiciary should establish clear guidelines and protocols for handling special cases, to prevent similar abuses in the future.
The Nigerian government should take steps to ensure the independence and impartiality of the judiciary, including providing adequate funding and resources to support the judiciary’s work.
By taking these steps, the Nigerian judiciary can begin to restore public trust and demonstrate its commitment to upholding the rule of law, rather than serving the interests of powerful individuals. The people of Nigeria deserve a fair and impartial judiciary, and it is time for the judiciary to take a stand against corruption and manipulation.
A New Era of Accountability: The Nigerian Judiciary’s Shift Towards Transparency
It now appears that the Nigerian judiciary, under the leadership of two female judicial leaders—Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun and President of the Court of Appeal Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem—is embracing a new era of transparency and accountability. Many legal and social sciences scholars and practitioners have long argued that the judiciary’s handling of special cases, particularly those from Rivers State, has been marred by bias and manipulation. This phenomenon, which has been termed “out of jurisdiction madness” by this psychologist, has been widely criticized as a threat to the rule of law and the integrity of the judiciary.
However, with the recent actions of the three-member panel led by Justice Onyekachi Otisi, it seems that the judiciary is finally taking steps to address these concerns. Any future actions to deeply address ethical ailments of the likes of judges Peter Lifu, Justice James Omotosho, and Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, and others, which should include potentially taking disciplinary action, will be a major and eye-opening welcoming development. The question on everyone’s mind is: will this newfound commitment to accountability be applied consistently across all cases, or will it be limited to a select few? Only time will tell, but for now, it is a promising sign that the Nigerian judiciary is taking steps to restore public trust and uphold the principles of justice.
Professor John Egbeazien Oshodi, born in Uromi, Edo State, Nigeria, is an American-based police and prison scientist, forensic/clinical psychologist, public policy psychologist, and legal psychologist. He’s a government advisor on forensic-clinical psychological services in the USA and the founder of the Dr. John Egbeazien Oshodi Foundation for Psychological Health. With a significant role in introducing forensic psychology to Nigeria through N.U.C. and Nasarawa State University, he’s also a former Secretary-General of the Nigeria Psychological Association. He’s taught at esteemed institutions like Florida Memorial University, Florida International University, Nova Southeastern University, and more, and is currently an online faculty member at ISCOM University, Weldios University and Walden University.