By Divine Sam
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has raised serious concerns over the proliferation of conflicting court orders and ex parte injunctions by judges, particularly in politically sensitive cases, citing the current political crisis in Rivers State as a significant example.
HURIWA is urging the National Judicial Council (NJC) to sanction judicial officers involved in these actions, warning that such practices threaten Nigeria’s constitutional democracy. The group highlighted that the legal turmoil in Rivers State, exacerbated by conflicting orders from various judges ahead of the recent Local Government elections, reflects a troubling trend in Nigeria’s political landscape.
HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, criticized the judiciary for becoming a potential tool for political manipulation and emphasized the need for accountability among judges. He noted that many of these court orders are allegedly linked to bribery, further eroding public trust in the judicial system.
The association called for the NJC to take immediate action to combat corruption within the judiciary, asserting that judges who engage in unethical practices must face serious consequences. HURIWA also recommended the establishment of monitoring mechanisms for ex parte and restraining orders in politically charged cases to ensure judicial integrity.
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