CSO Slams Kano Federal Judge for Allegedly
Politicising Justice
By Ahmad Tijjani Abdul
KANO (Kano, North west Nigeria) – Justice Simon Amobeda of the Kano Federal High Court came under condemnation on Tuesday for allegedly politicising justice in his recent verdict that disqualified Prof Malunfashi, five other members of Kano State Electoral Commission (KANSIEC).
The Conveners of the Nigerian Democracy Working Group, Dr. Vincent Okpara Innocent, and
Dr. Idris A. Mohammed in a statement that was made available to newsmen in Kano on Wednesday morning condemned the recent actions of Justice Simon Amobeda which the Right group described as “judicial recklessness” aimed at truncating democracy and jeopardizing peace and security in the state.
Justice Amobeda’s judgment, had on Tuesday in an epoch ruling sacked Professor Malunfashi, Chairman, and five other members of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KNSIEC) just three days before the crucial Local Government Councils Elections in the state.
The CSO in its reaction said “We condemn this judgment in totality as insensitive, anti-people, anti-democracy, anti-social justice, emotionally loaded.”
According to the group, this decision is a clear example of the court’s “incessant judicial recklessness” and its tendency to cause conflicts and disharmony in the state.
“It is our firm belief that every civilized democracy, which respects the will of the people, courts wouldn’t have reduced themselves to temples of creating confusion, disharmony, social disunity and disorder.”
The Nigerian Democracy Working Group emphasized that the judiciary has transformed itself into a “power broker” loaded with emotions and self-serving sentiments, disregarding the plight and concerns of ordinary Nigerian citizens.
The group called on all Nigerian citizens to condemn the judgment as “irrational, a miscarriage of justice, and ill-timed”. They also urged the new Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere Ekun, to take decisive action against Justice Simon Amobeda.
The group revealed plans to mobilize 1,000 organizations across the country to file a petition against Justice Simon Amobeda, stressing that disciplinary action against him would serve as a deterrent to others.
The Nigerian Democracy Working Group emphasized the need for the new leadership of the Nigerian Judiciary to cleanse the system of elements with questionable character and restore the integrity of the institution.
The group’s Conveners reiterated the importance of promoting democratic practices, cultures, and ethics for the attainment of good governance and sustainable development.