*Accuses faction of distortion of court’s judgement
By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja
The Nyesom Wike-backed Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has called on the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC), the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the security agencies to investigate and take necessary action(s) against a faction of the party, led by Dr Tanimu Turaki, for the persistent and deliberate distortion of judicial pronouncements.
The Wike-backed PDP made the call at the weekend in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary,
Hon. Jungudo Haruna Mohammed in Abuja.
The party pointed out that it considers this development as a dangerous assault on the integrity of the judiciary and the administration of justice.
It stressed that it is particularly disturbing that individuals who are members of the legal profession, including a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, would engage in the distortion and misrepresentation of a clear judicial pronouncement for partisan political purposes.
The statement Mohammed reads, “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is deeply disturbed by the persistent and deliberate distortion of judicial pronouncements by a group of individuals falsely parading themselves as the Interim National Working Committee of the Party. “The latest instance is contained in a press statement issued by one Comrade Ini Ememobong, a legal practitioner, on June 3, 2026, on behalf of the said group.
“Of particular concern are paragraphs three and four of the statement, which contain claims, conclusions, and interpretations that are not only misleading but are entirely inconsistent with the clear, unambiguous, and unequivocal contents of the judgment of the Court of Appeal.
“The Party considers this development a dangerous assault on the integrity of the judiciary and the administration of justice.
“It is particularly disturbing that individuals who are members of the legal profession, including a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, would engage in the distortion and misrepresentation of a clear judicial pronouncement for partisan political purposes.
“The PDP states unequivocally that the Certified True Copy (CTC) of the ruling of the Court of Appeal delivered by Justice Uchechukwu Onyemenam on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, and certified on Friday, June 5, 2026, speaks for itself and leaves no room for the false narratives currently being circulated across the media and social media platforms.
“It is therefore shocking that legal practitioners would seek to attribute statements, conclusions, and declarations to the Court that are completely absent from the judgment itself. Such conduct amounts to an attempt to mislead the public, create confusion, and undermine confidence in the judicial process.
“This constitutes contempt of court and must be treated as such.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Court of Appeal did not nullify the constitutionality or legality of the Caretaker Committee of the Party from which the present National Working Committee emerged. “Rather, the Court dismissed the appeal on the grounds that it constituted an academic exercise and an attempt to relitigate issues that had already been conclusively determined by both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. “Consequently, the judgment of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, delivered on January 30, 2026, remains valid, subsisting, binding, and fully enforceable.
“The Party wishes to place on record that at no point from the first page to the last page of the ruling did the Court of Appeal make any pronouncement concerning Mr. A. K. Ajibade, SAN, or Senator Samuel N. Anyanwu, as falsely claimed by those promoting misleading interpretations of the judgment.
“Any attempt to suggest otherwise amounts to a deliberate distortion of the clear and unambiguous decision of the Court.
“Such conduct is considered misleading, irresponsible, and calculated to deceive the public, undermine confidence in the judiciary, create confusion, and heighten political tension.
Even more disturbing is the circulation on social media of purported excerpts of the Court of Appeal ruling, with portions highlighted in green ink and presented as part of the Court’s decision.
“A careful examination of the authentic Certified True Copy of the ruling reveals that several of the highlighted portions being circulated neither emanated from nor formed part of the judgment delivered by the Court.
“The Party considers this development extremely serious and calls on the relevant security and regulatory authorities to immediately investigate the source and purpose of such materials and take appropriate action in accordance with the law.
“The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) are urged to rise to the occasion by investigating the conduct of legal practitioners who deliberately misrepresent court judgments and use their professional standing to promote falsehoods capable of bringing the legal profession into disrepute.
“The Party further reminds all media organizations of their responsibility to uphold the highest standards of professionalism. Media houses are urged to seek proper legal guidance and verify the contents of court judgments before disseminating interpretations that may mislead the public or inflame political tensions.
“The judiciary remains the last hope of the common man. Its decisions must be respected, faithfully represented, and protected from manipulation by individuals seeking political advantage.
“The deliberate misrepresentation of court judgments constitutes a grave threat to the rule of law and the credibility of democratic institutions.
“The PDP therefore calls for immediate action against all persons found to have knowingly distorted the judgment of the Court.
“Failure to act decisively will only embolden those who seek to weaponize misinformation against the judiciary and weaken public confidence in the administration of justice.
“Politics should never descend to the level where judicial pronouncements are fraudulently twisted, manipulated, and misrepresented to serve narrow partisan interests. This is politics taken too far.
“The sanctity of the judiciary must be protected. The truth must prevail, and those who seek to undermine the authority of the courts through deliberate misrepresentation must be held accountable in accordance with the law.
“The relevant security and regulatory agencies are further urged to urgently investigate these developments and take all necessary actions within the ambit of the law.
“No individual, regardless of status or professional standing, should be permitted to misrepresent the decisions of a court of competent jurisdiction without consequence.
“Finally, the PDP urges members of the public, media organizations, party members, and stakeholders to disregard in its entirety the false and misleading narratives suggesting that the Court of Appeal has invalidated the present National Working Committee of the Party.
“The Party further appeals for continued support for the leadership of Hon. Abdulrahman Mohammed and Senator Samuel N. Anyanwu in their commitment to providing a viable and credible alternative political direction for Nigeria” the statement concluded.
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