The Supreme Court has come under fire from an 11-man Independent Judicial Accountability Panel (IJAP) over its recent ruling on the prolonged political turmoil in Rivers State. The panel, which includes three retired justices, expressed concerns over the apex court’s handling of the case, suggesting that it left critical issues unresolved.
Following its inaugural meeting in Abuja on Friday, March 14, 2025, the panel, chaired by retired Justice Mojeed Owoade of the Court of Appeal, criticized the Supreme Court for making comments on the alleged defection of 27 Rivers State lawmakers without explicitly addressing the issue. The panel argued that such judicial overreach creates legal ambiguities and fuels further controversy.
“The judgement of the Supreme Court in the consolidated appeals leaves a gap as to whether the issue of the alleged defection of 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly is still alive or has been settled,” the panel stated. “This is because the court made comments on the issue of defection without actually addressing it.”
The panel noted that, as of the time of judgment, there was no evidence before the court to establish that the lawmakers had lost their seats. It maintained that the apex court should have refrained from making pronouncements on the matter since related cases were still pending.
However, the panel ruled out the possibility of a judicial review, stating that the Supreme Court had become functus officio—meaning it had exhausted its jurisdiction over the case.
Highlighting the dangers of complex and ambiguous rulings, the panel warned that such judgments erode public trust in the judiciary. “Complex and lengthy judgments defy easy comprehension and therefore undermine public confidence in the judiciary,” Justice Owoade emphasized.
As part of its recommendations, the IJAP urged politicians to refrain from influencing judicial processes and instead focus on fostering political stability for the benefit of their constituents. It also called on the government at all levels to respect court orders and uphold citizens’ fundamental rights.
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The panel condemned the Federal Government’s failure to comply with the ECOWAS Court’s ruling on compensation for victims of the October 2020 End SARS protests. “Over nine months after the court’s judgment, the Nigerian government has yet to fulfill its obligations,” the panel lamented.
It further stressed that judicial accountability must be a collective effort, urging Nigerian citizens to actively engage in monitoring the judiciary’s role in governance. “Citizens should show more interest and get involved in activities that hold the judiciary and other government agencies accountable,” the panel stated.
The panel also emphasized the need for independent journalism, urging the media to be fearless, factual, and non-partisan in reporting judicial matters. “The media should be more courageous in investigating and reporting the role of the judiciary in our democracy,” the statement added.
The Independent Judicial Accountability Panel comprises retired Justices Chinwe Iyizoba and Oloduton Adefope-Okojie of the Court of Appeal, as well as legal and civil society experts including Prof. Okechukwu Ibeanu, Prof. Jummai Audi, Mr. Mac Imoni Amarere, Barr. Sechap A. Tsokwa, Andrew Mamedu, Judith Gbagidi, Barr. Funmi Olukeye, and Celestine Okwudili.
The panel was established as part of an initiative by ActionAid Nigeria and the Citizens’ Led Engagement on Judicial Accountability in Post-Election Justice Delivery in Nigeria (CLEAP-Justice), a project launched in July 2023 to promote transparency in the judiciary beyond election-related cases.
With growing public dissatisfaction over judicial decisions, the panel’s findings are likely to intensify debate on judicial reforms in Nigeria. Whether the Supreme Court will respond to these concerns remains to be seen.
