Three retired judges are among the 11 members of the Independent Judicial Accountability Panel (IJAP), which has voiced concerns about the Supreme Court’s ruling regarding the protracted political crisis in Rivers State. The panel, which was chaired by retired Justice Mojeed Owoade of the Court of Appeal, expressed disapproval on Friday, March 14, 2025, after its first meeting in Abuja, according to reports from Vanguard Newspaper on Friday, March 14.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
In a statement, the panel expressed worry that the apex court’s ruling on appeals stemming from legal disputes in Rivers State ventured into unresolved matters. The panel claimed that the judgment left ambiguity regarding whether the alleged defection of 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly had been conclusively addressed.
The panel stated, “The Supreme Court’s judgment on the consolidated appeals leaves a significant gap concerning the alleged defection issue, as the court commented on the matter without thoroughly addressing it.”
According to the panel, the apex court made remarks about the defection of the lawmakers despite the absence of concrete evidence at the time to determine their continued membership in the Assembly. The panel emphasized that the Supreme Court should have refrained from commenting on the issue, considering that pending litigations were still in place.
Furthermore, the panel dismissed the likelihood of any party filing an application for judicial review of the judgment, stating, “The Supreme Court has become functus officio concerning this matter.” The panel also noted that overly complex and lengthy judgments hinder public comprehension and erode trust in the judiciary.
Justice Owoade, on behalf of the panel, urged judicial officers to remain committed to their oath of office and called on political figures to minimize undue influence on the judiciary. He advised politicians to demonstrate greater tolerance towards one another for the sake of public welfare.
The panel also expressed disappointment with the government’s disregard for court orders, particularly highlighting the Federal Government’s failure to comply with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Court’s ruling that awarded compensation to victims of the October 2020 End SARS protests. More than nine months have passed since the judgment, yet the victims remain uncompensated.
“The Federal Government should uphold not only the rulings of domestic courts but also decisions from international judicial bodies, as mandated by various treaties,” the panel recommended. Additionally, it urged citizens to become more proactive in holding both the judiciary and government agencies accountable.
The panel called on the media to take a bold, factual, and impartial approach in investigating and reporting on the judiciary’s role in promoting democratic principles. It stressed the importance of a free and responsible press in maintaining judicial accountability.
Other notable members of the panel include retired Justices Chinwe Iyizoba and Oloduton Adefope-Okojie of the Court of Appeal, Professor Okechukwu Ibeanu, Professor Jummai Audi, Mr. Mac Imoni Amarere, Barrister Sechap A. Tsokwa, Andrew Mamedu, Judith Gbagidi, Barrister Funmi Olukeye, and Celestine Okwudil.
The IJAP was established as part of an expanded project initiated by ActionAid Nigeria and the Citizens’ Led Engagement on Judicial Accountability in Post-Election Justice Delivery in Nigeria (CLEAP-Justice). Since July 2023, the project has evolved to support citizens’ efforts in promoting judicial accountability beyond electoral matters.
Andrew Mamedu, Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, reiterated that the initiative seeks to foster civic engagement in holding the judiciary accountable while promoting justice and fairness within the democratic framework.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
