Letters

Flouting court orders not good for our democracy

In every country of the world where democracy is practised, there usually exist three arms of government, which are legislative, executive and judiciary, with each having distinct roles to play in the administration of the country. The legislative makes the laws, which are carried out by the executive, while the judiciary interprets the law.

One good thing, therefore, is that unlike during the military era, this is what is obtainable in Nigeria’s democracy today, under the principles of separation of powers.

Unfortunately, with the way things are going in this country, it appears this principle is no longer followed by people in positions of authority. For example, whenever there are court rulings against the executive on certain issues, the executive hardly accepts the rulings. We have seen this on several occasions in this political dispensation. This, therefore, negates the principle of the separation of powers, rule of law and fundamental human rights.

However, this is not how it is in other countries, particularly in the developed world, where the rulings of the judiciary are held in high esteem and implemented.

Apart from the executive, the police are also guilty of this, as in most cases, they detain suspects longer than necessary.

Therefore, if Nigeria is to truly develop, then all the arms of government are respected, and their submission on issues accepted. Most especially, everybody, including the government and its institutions, must respect the rulings of the courts. It is so painful when a court will give a certain ruling, and powerful people in the society will oppose it because it did not favour them.

Therefore, I want to implore the government, and the various governmental organisations, particularly the security agencies, to stop flouting court orders, as this is not good for our democracy.