National Telescope national telescope newspaper
….Says Judges Use Technicalities to Politically Influence Cases -Sheriff Mulade
By Chuks Peter, DELTA
A Niger Delta activist and human rights advocate, Comrade Mulade Sheriff, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take urgent steps to protect the independence and integrity of Nigeria’s judiciary.
According to Mulade, the judiciary is at risk of losing public confidence due to political interference and the increasing use of technicalities to dismiss cases of national importance.
Comrade Mulade, who made the appeal on Monday, emphasized that an independent judiciary is essential for preserving democracy and ensuring justice for all citizens.
According to Mulade, “Mr. President, it has become necessary to formally appeal to you to salvage our judiciary, which is the core of society and democracy. A fair and independent judiciary ensures fairness, equity, and justice for all Nigerians. Without it, our democratic system is at risk of crumbling under the weight of political interests,” he stated.
Mulade expressed concern over some recent court judgments that, in his view, have created confusion and threatened to erode trust in the justice system. He said, “We are deeply worried about some recent judgments that have created confusion, chaos, and threatened to erode the reverence and trust in our justice system. Nigeria’s judiciary has been the beacon of hope, not just for Nigerians, but for the African continent,” he remarked.
He warned that political interference in judicial processes is becoming more frequent, with certain judgments appearing to favor political interests. “We are witnessing a worrying trend where the judiciary is being politicized, and certain judgments are driven by political interests rather than the rule of law,” Mulade added.
Mulade particularly criticized the judiciary’s reliance on technicalities to dismiss public-interest cases. “It is alarming how often cases of national importance are dismissed based on technicalities, preventing the judiciary from addressing the real merits of the case. This practice frustrates the hopes of ordinary Nigerians seeking justice,” he said.
The activist urged President Tinubu to follow the example of global leaders who have prioritized the independence of the judiciary in democratic systems. He referenced historical figures such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln, highlighting their belief in a free and impartial judiciary as a safeguard for democracy.
“Our democracy cannot survive if the judiciary is compromised. We implore you, Mr. President, to act decisively and protect the independence of the judiciary. This is a critical step toward ensuring fairness, justice, and equality for all Nigerians,” Mulade appealed.
He also urged judges with political affiliations to step down to preserve the judiciary’s integrity. “Political judges in the judiciary should resign to save our justice system and the people before mass protests erupt,” he warned, noting that failure to act could lead to chaos and self-defense measures by citizens.
Mulade concluded by calling on President Tinubu to take immediate measures to restore public trust in the judiciary. “We must eradicate political influence over court decisions and ensure the judiciary remains a neutral arbiter of justice, as intended in a democratic presidential system,” he said.
The activist’s call underscores growing concerns over the integrity of Nigeria’s judiciary, as the nation navigates the complexities of political influence and legal fairness.
