Former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Olumide Akpata, has urged the International Bar Association (IBA) to play a role in addressing the alleged capture of the Nigerian judiciary by political parties.
Olumide, while speaking in Paris, France, called on the IBA to investigate the matter and lend its voice to the fight for judicial independence in Nigeria.
He noted that there is a “deliberate attempt” by political parties to capture the judiciary while adding that such illegality will have “serious consequences for the rule of law in Nigeria.”
“There is a deliberate attempt by political parties in Nigeria to capture the judiciary, and that has been a serious consequence for the rule of law in Nigeria. It is deliberate; it is intentional, and it is achieving results for them.”
“The politicians have chosen to play Russian Roulette with the judiciary system in Nigeria.
Akpata cited a number of examples of alleged judicial misconduct, including judges issuing rulings that favor the ruling party and judges being appointed to the bench based on political connections rather than merit.
He said that these practices are “bizarre” and “share luck” with the rule of law in Nigeria.
The IBA is a global organization of lawyers that promotes the rule of law and defends the rights of lawyers and judges.
It has a long history of involvement in Africa, and it has been a vocal critic of human rights abuses on the continent.
Akpata’s call for the IBA to intervene in Nigeria comes amid growing concern about the state of the judiciary in the country.
In recent years, there have been a number of high-profile cases in which judges have been accused of corruption and bias.
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These cases have raised concerns about the ability of the judiciary to uphold the rule of law and protect the rights of citizens.
“We hope that the IBA should ascertain that what we say is correct, lend its voice to the process of appointment and also look at the hypocrisy of judges in Nigeria
‘Their kids want to go to Cambridge, Harvard universities , their salaries can’t afford it but I assure you that their kids are in Harvard and Cambridge universities,” Akpata said.