An 11-member Independent Judicial Accountability Panel, which includes three retired justices, has issued a critical assessment of the Supreme Court’s judgment regarding the prolonged political crisis in Rivers State. The panel convened its inaugural meeting in Abuja on Friday, March 14, 2025.
Led by retired Justice Mojeed Owoade of the Court of Appeal, the panel expressed concern that the apex court’s ruling on appeals stemming from legal disputes in Rivers State had ventured into contentious matters.
In a statement, the panel noted, “The Supreme Court’s judgment in the consolidated appeals leaves ambiguity surrounding whether the issue of the alleged defection of 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly is still active or has been resolved. This is because the court commented on the defection issue without directly addressing it.”
The panel highlighted that, at the time of the ruling, there was no evidence before the Supreme Court to establish that the 27 lawmakers were no longer bona fide members of the Rivers Assembly. It maintained that the court should not have commented on the matter given the ongoing litigations.
However, the panel ruled out the possibility of any parties filing for judicial review of the judgment, stating, “As far as the case is concerned, the Supreme Court has become functus officio in the matter.”
Justice Owoade’s panel also pointed out that complex and lengthy court judgments can hinder public understanding and erode trust in the judiciary. The panel urged judicial officers to remain mindful of their oaths of office at all times.
Among its recommendations, the panel advised politicians to refrain from exerting undue influence on the judiciary and to foster a spirit of mutual accommodation for the benefit of their constituents. It also called on governments at all levels to adhere to court orders and respect citizens’ fundamental rights within a democratic framework. The panel lamented that over nine months after the ECOWAS Court awarded damages to victims of the October 2020 End SARS protests, the Federal Government had yet to comply with the judgment.
The panel stated, “IJAP recommends that the Federal Government of Nigeria comply with not only our domestic court orders but also those of international courts, in line with its obligations under various treaties. We recognise that concerted citizen action will be essential to achieving this.”
It encouraged citizens to take a greater interest in and engage with activities that hold the judiciary and other government agencies accountable. Additionally, the panel urged the media to be more courageous, factual, and non-partisan in investigating and reporting on the role of the judiciary in Nigeria’s democracy.
The panel comprises two other retired Justices of the Court of Appeal, Justices Chinwe Iyizoba and Oloduton Adefope-Okojie, alongside Prof. Okechukwu Ibeanu, Prof. Jummai Audi, Mr. Mac Imoni Amarere, Barr. Sechap A. Tsokwa, Andrew Mamedu, Judith Gbagidi, Barr. Funmi Olukeye, and Celestine Okwudil.
This panel is a product of an expanded initiative by ActionAid Nigeria and Citizens’ Led Engagement on Judicial Accountability in Post-Election Justice Delivery in Nigeria (CLEAP-Justice), which has been ongoing since July 2023.
Andrew Mamedu, the Country Director of ActionAid, noted that the project has evolved to support citizens’ efforts toward judicial accountability, extending beyond electoral issues.
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