The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has condemned recent Federal High Court judgments and called for visa restrictions on judges allegedly issuing rulings perceived as politically motivated.
The group made the call on Thursday in reaction to a Federal High Court verdict halting federal allocations to Rivers State.
HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, called on the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union to impose travel restrictions on Justices Judge John Tsoho, Joyce Abdulmalik, Peter Lifu, James Omotosho, Donatus Uwaezuoke Okorowo, and Emeka Nwite for allegedly delivering politically motivated judgements.
The group specifically said Justice Abdulmalik’s recent judgement blocking FAAC allocations to Rivers State amounts to a “constitutional coup” and capable of disrupting Nigeria’s democracy.
According to Onwubiko, the judgement is reminiscent of the Imo State governorship verdict that allegedly led to a visa ban on Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun (now the Chief Justice of Nigeria).
The Rivers ruling, according to HURIWA, disregards a longstanding Supreme Court principle affirming that statutory allocations to states cannot be withheld by federal authorities.
HURIWA insisted that the judgement violates established legal precedence, putting Rivers State and Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration at risk of political destabilisation.
The lawsuit, initiated by a faction within the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to former Governor Nyesom Wike, claims the power to halt funds distribution within the state. HURIWA views this as a strategic attempt to undermine Governor Fubara’s administration through judicial means. According to HURIWA, such “partisan” judgements blatantly contradict principles of judicial impartiality, as the judiciary should uphold constitutional protections rather than favor specific political agendas.
Earlier, Professor Chidi Odinkalu stated that Justice Abdulmalik’s verdict overturns a precedent set by the Supreme Court, describing the judgement as a form of judicial tyranny that dismisses the rule of law.
“Today, a judge of @FederalHigh overruled the Supreme Court. This is not #RuleOfLaw; it is the tyranny of the #Outlaw,” Odinkalu tweeted, underscoring the dangerous precedent this decision establishes.
HURIWA also Justice Lifu for repeatedly issuing judgements allegedly favouring factions loyal to political figures and delivering contradictory rulings that create legal uncertainty.
It further noted that Justice Okorowo issued an injunction declaring that some Rivers lawmakers’ seats should not be vacated, a ruling upon which Justice Lifu then based his order allowing certain lawmakers to maintain their positions.
Recently, however, the lawmakers chose to withdraw the case from Justice Okorowo’s court, yet Justice Lifu’s rulings continued to rely on the withdrawn case.
HURIWA called this a “disturbing misuse of the judiciary” that undermines the stability of Rivers State and allows personal or partisan interests to influence judicial outcomes. HURIWA emphasized the potential for civil unrest if financial allocations are withheld from Rivers State, as groups within the region have reportedly issued warnings threatening to disrupt critical infrastructure, including oil pipelines, in retaliation.
The group stressed that the court’s ruling aggravates existing tensions and could incite further instability in the region.
“The judgement issued is like dousing the flames of political discord in Rivers State with gasoline, in what appears to be a deliberate push toward civil instability.
“Justice Abdulmalik’s decision delegitimizes the duly elected administration of Governor Fubara, and as such, is unconstitutional and akin to a plot to forcefully remove the governor without due process.” HURIWA stated.
It appealed to Chief Justice Kekere-Ekun to restore integrity within Nigeria’s judicial system, warning that the credibility of the judiciary is at stake.
“The Nigerian judiciary is in jeopardy as these rulings reflect a disturbing pattern of bias in political disputes. If this persists, Nigerians may begin to question the value of seeking legal recourse, potentially leading to societal chaos.
“It is crucial that the CJN and the National Judicial Council take corrective measures to prevent further damage to Nigeria’s judicial image,” the group stated.