‘Save Nigeria’s judiciary now before it collapsses’

Niger Delta-born human rights and peace advocate, Comrade Mulade Sheriff, has urged President Bola Tinubu to safeguard the independence and integrity of Nigeria’s judiciary.

Mulade emphasised the importance of the judiciary as a pillar of democracy and the last hope of the common man.

In a statement made available to journalists on Monday, the Gbaramatu kingdom chief expressed worries over recent contentious judgments in some of the courts.

Appealing to Tinubu to restore confidence in the judiciary, he said:

“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.

“We are deeply worried about some recent judgments that had 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.

“However, political interference and vested interests are putting our judicial integrity under severe pressure.

“We are witnessing a worrying trend where the judiciary is being politicised and certain judgments are driven by political interests rather than the rule of law.”

Mulade further highlighted a pattern in which judges, particularly in the Federal and State High Courts, dismiss public interest cases on technical grounds.

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