Author: Gist Correspondent

The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has resolved to petition the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to investigate claims suggesting interference in the judicial process.

The decision followed comments attributed to the national leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, in which he was reported to have claimed involvement in engagements with justices of the Supreme Court during the legal dispute arising from the 2019 Kano State governorship election.

Kwankwaso was quoted as saying that after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the 2019 election inconclusive, he took Abba Yusuf—now governor of Kano State—to meet with justices of the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court later upheld the election of former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, dismissing Yusuf’s petition.

The remarks were reportedly made while Kwankwaso was addressing supporters following Yusuf’s recent defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Reacting to the development, the NBA said its NEC deliberated on the matter after the comments generated widespread public concern.

In a statement shared on X by Etaba Agbor, Secretary of the NBA Young Lawyers’ Forum, the association said claims of this nature, whether explicit or implied, have the potential to undermine public confidence in the independence of the judiciary and the credibility of Nigeria’s electoral justice system.

“The National Executive Council noted that claims of this nature, whether made directly or by implication, are capable of eroding public confidence in the independence of the judiciary and the integrity of the electoral justice system,” the statement said.

The NBA clarified that the proposed petition would not be limited to Kwankwaso alone but would cover any individual who has made statements or public remarks suggesting improper access to judicial officers or undue influence over judicial decision-making.

According to the association, the move to involve security agencies does not amount to a presumption of guilt.

“The objective is to ensure that allegations of this gravity are subjected to thorough, impartial and professional investigation,” the NBA said.

It warned that false claims of judicial interference are dangerous to constitutional democracy and must be firmly repudiated, while stressing that where such claims are found to be true, those responsible must be held accountable in line with the law.

Consequently, the NEC mandated the National Executive Committee of the NBA to prepare and submit a formal petition to the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies, requesting a comprehensive investigation into the claims.

The NBA reaffirmed its commitment to the rule of law, judicial independence and the integrity of the courts, stressing that no individual is entitled to make statements that cast doubt on the judicial process without proper scrutiny.