A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Umar Sani, has accused the Nigerian judiciary of compromising its independence and allowing political influence to shape court decisions.
Sani issued the warning in a post on his X handle on Friday, titled “A Conscienceless Judiciary,” where he criticised what he described as the growing influence of the executive over the judiciary.
He alleged that the administration of President Bola Tinubu had created an atmosphere where the executive increasingly influenced judicial outcomes, weakening the principle of separation of powers.
He specifically accused FCT Minister Nyesom Wike of exerting considerable influence over some judges, claiming they had become excessively submissive to him.
Sani also questioned recent rulings by Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court in Abuja, describing them as questionable and inconsistent with established facts and applicable laws.
He further alleged that the judiciary had become reluctant to hear cases on their merits whenever the outcomes could go against Wike’s interests, adding that such developments had weakened public confidence in the courts.
The PDP chieftain mentioned political figures, including Hope Uzodimma, Seyi Makinde, David Mark, Atiku Abubakar, Peter Obi and Goodluck Jonathan, whom he said had experienced what he described as judicial humiliation and electoral setbacks.
He recalled the public support enjoyed by the judiciary when former President Muhammadu Buhari directed the EFCC to investigate some judges, noting that Nigerians had defended judicial independence against what they considered executive intimidation.
However, he lamented that questionable judicial decisions had since eroded public confidence in the institution.
Sani warned that those responsible for undermining judicial independence would eventually face the consequences after Tinubu and Wike leave the political stage.
He added that history would not be kind to those who allegedly turned the judiciary into an instrument of political convenience.
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