A coalition of Nigerian civil society organisations has urged the judiciary to use the ongoing legal dispute involving Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, to restore public confidence in the courts, warning against any attempt to manipulate the judicial process.
The coalition said the case, which it linked to Uzodimma’s political history and previous controversial court decisions involving Imo State, presented an opportunity for the judiciary to demonstrate its independence and credibility.
In a statement jointly issued in Bauchi State,and signed by Job Samuel Danfulani of the Centre for Public Integrity; John Samuel Nangi of Nigeria Integrity Watch; Mohammed Ibrahim Sumaila of the Northern Council of Nigeria; Abdullahi Salisu of the Nigeria Ethnic Nationality Forum; and Hassana Mohammed of the Foundation for Democracy in Africa.
the organisations questioned conflicting accounts surrounding Uzodimma’s emergence as the All Progressives Congress candidate for the Imo West Senatorial District election.
According to the coalition, Uzodimma had claimed he secured the ticket through Option A4, while the APC national leadership reportedly told the Federal High Court that he emerged through a consensus arrangement.
It described the two accounts as contradictory and alleged that the process was fraudulent.
The group also recalled the controversial January 2020 Supreme Court judgment that overturned the election of Emeka Ihedioha and declared Uzodimma the winner of the Imo State governorship election.
The ruling attracted widespread criticism and raised questions about the credibility of the judiciary.
The coalition said the latest legal dispute involving Uzodimma and former governor Rochas Okorocha had further revived concerns surrounding previous judicial decisions in the state.
It alleged that an earlier ruling had raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the Independent National Electoral Commission’s declaration of Uzodimma as governor instead of Okorocha.
The coalition also cited comments attributed to former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, concerning reports that some Supreme Court justices involved in the 2020 Imo governorship judgment were denied United States visas.
At a book launch in February 2023, Duke reportedly said the justices were denied visas while their aides were granted them.
“The justices that gave that judgment cannot go to the United States today because they have been denied visas,” Duke was quoted as saying.
He added that the justices had planned to attend a legal retreat in the United States but were unsuccessful in their visa applications.
“They wanted to go on a retreat. Their aides were given visas, but they were not. How much disgrace can we take as a nation before we say enough is enough?” he reportedly said.
The coalition further referenced allegations concerning Uzodimma’s early political associations, citing human rights lawyer Chidi Odinkalu.
It alleged that Uzodimma had worked as a driver and associate of the late Maurice Ibekwe, a former member of the House of Representatives who faced high-profile fraud allegations before his death in Kirikiri Prison in 2004 while standing trial.
The organisations warned that the judiciary could not afford another controversy capable of further eroding its reputation.
They urged the courts to ensure that the ongoing proceedings were determined strictly on their merits, without political interference or external pressure.
“The temple of justice must stand up to any fraudulent attempt by anyone to smuggle himself into the 11th Senate,” the coalition said.
The group also called on security agencies to investigate reports circulating in the South-East that Uzodimma was positioning himself to become Nigeria’s first Igbo president.
It stressed that it had no objection to the governor’s presidential ambition but insisted that the circumstances and methods through which he intended to pursue it should be properly established.
The coalition argued that the allegations should not be dismissed without investigation, urging security agencies to examine the reports and assess their implications.
It also recalled that Deji Adeyanju and the late Ariyo-Dare, under the Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy and Constitution, had previously petitioned the United States over proposed visa restrictions against Supreme Court justices.
The organisations said they hoped the judiciary would learn from past controversies and avoid decisions capable of further undermining public trust.
Meanwhile, the coalition commended a Federal High Court judge, Justice Obiora Egwuatu, for what it described as his courage and commitment to judicial integrity.
It alleged that despite pressure and lobbying, the judge resisted attempts to influence him and upheld justice.
The group said judges of Egwuatu’so calibre were needed to strengthen the judiciary, adding that his conduct deserved national recognition and an award.
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