The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, has allegedly ordered the dissolution of a Court of Appeal panel that upheld the conduct of local government elections in Rivers State under Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration.
The dissolved panel, led by Justice Onyekachi Otisi, had ruled that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction to bar the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from releasing the voters’ register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC).
The appellate court cited Section 28 of the Electoral Act, which excludes local government elections conducted by state governments.
Sources allege that Wike, dissatisfied with the outcome, disbanded the panel through secret consultations with senior judicial officers.
A new panel, now led by Justice Hamah Barka and including Justices Adebukola Banjoko and Peter C. Obiora, has been assigned to the case. Justice Barka had previously recused himself from similar matters, citing external pressure and allegations of bias.
SaharaReporters quoted a source as saying, “The panel that sat to hear the new appeal was headed by Justice Hamah Barka and it also has Justice Adebukola Banjoko and Justice Peter C. Obiora. Wike got upset and reached out to Senior Judicial officers and fixers. He secretly disbanded the first panel that gave the favourable ruling.
“Ironically, Justice Barka had recused himself from the Rivers State issue in the panel earlier set for the same purpose, saying he was under attack by some forces claiming he was compromised,” the source further revealed.
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“The new panel approved by Wike is litigating on the matter from Abuja Where Wike’s wife is also a senior judge,” the source added.
Additionally, Wike has reportedly expressed frustration with the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF) for releasing Rivers State’s monthly allocation despite a “stay of execution” order. The federal government initially announced plans to halt Rivers State’s October revenue allocation, citing legal disputes, but later reversed the decision due to a subsisting appeal.
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