An independent judicial panel has criticized the Supreme Court’s judgment on the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, raising concerns about its handling of legal disputes.
The 11-member Independent Judicial Accountability Panel (IJAP), which includes three retired justices, made its stance known after its first meeting in Abuja on Friday, March 14, 2025. Retired Justice Mojeed Owoade of the Court of Appeal, who leads the panel, said the Supreme Court’s ruling left critical legal questions unresolved.
“The judgment of the Supreme Court in the consolidated appeals leaves a gap as to whether the issue of the alleged defection of 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly is still alive or has been settled,” the panel stated.
The judicial panel pointed out that the Supreme Court made comments on the lawmakers’ alleged defection without directly addressing the issue. The panel argued that the court should not have touched on the matter since there were still ongoing cases concerning the lawmakers’ status.
Despite these concerns, the panel ruled out the possibility of a judicial review of the ruling, explaining that the Supreme Court had already completed its role in the case.
The panel declared, “As far as the case is concerned, the Supreme Court has become functus-officio in the matter.”
The panel also warned that complex and lengthy court judgments often confuse the public and undermine trust in the judiciary. “Judicial officers should be mindful of their oath of office at all times,” the panel stated.
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Call for Political and Judicial Reforms
In its recommendations, the panel urged politicians to avoid interfering with the judiciary and to prioritize the interests of their people. It also called on the government to obey court rulings and uphold the rights of citizens, expressing disappointment that the Federal Government had failed to comply with a judgment from the ECOWAS Court regarding damages for victims of the 2020 End SARS protests.
“IJAP recommends that the Federal Government of Nigeria obey orders not only of our domestic courts but also those of international courts, in line with its obligations under various treaties,” the panel said.
The panel also encouraged Nigerian citizens to actively hold the judiciary and government accountable, emphasizing that “concerted citizen action will be necessary for achieving this.” It further urged the media to be bold, factual, and non-partisan in reporting judicial activities.
About the Judicial Panel
Other members of the panel include retired Justices Chinwe Iyizoba and Oloduton Adefope-Okojie, legal experts, and civil society representatives. The panel was formed as part of a project by ActionAid Nigeria and Citizens’ Led Engagement on Judicial Accountability in Post-Election Justice Delivery in Nigeria (CLEAP-Justice).
ActionAid Country Director Andrew Mamedu explained that the initiative, launched in July 2023, has expanded beyond electoral cases to support broader judicial accountability efforts in Nigeria.