A peaceful protest took place in Abuja on Monday, with demonstrators marching from the National Assembly Complex to the Supreme Court to voice their concerns over the ongoing judiciary crisis in Benue State.
The protest, led by civil society organizations, human rights groups, and concerned citizens, was sparked by allegations of political interference in the Benue Local Government Election Tribunal.
The protesters, who carried banners condemning the alleged hijacking of the tribunal by certain politicians, called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to intervene urgently and remove corrupt judges from the judiciary. They also appealed to President Bola Tinubu to take immediate action to resolve the crisis and ensure justice is served.
“We are here as concerned Nigerians who believe in the rule of law. Our democracy is under threat, and Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun must act to save it,” said Igwe Ude-Umanta, the convener of the protest. He added, “We also call on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu not to stand by while the judiciary faces a crisis. The situation in Benue is particularly dire because the petitioners weren’t even part of the election process.”
The protest comes amid escalating tensions surrounding the Benue election tribunal, which has been mired in controversy. The Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice Maurice Ikpembese, had previously ordered the relocation of the tribunal from Makurdi to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) House in Abuja due to security concerns. However, the tribunal’s planned sitting, scheduled for March 10, was halted following a restraining order issued by a Federal High Court in Makurdi. This order directed the tribunal to reconvene in Benue, contradicting Justice Ikpembese’s ruling.
In response, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) approached the FCT High Court in Abuja, requesting that the tribunal remain in Abuja as originally decided. The court granted the request on Friday, allowing the tribunal to continue its proceedings at the NBA House in Abuja and forbidding it from sitting in Benue.
The protestors’ call for urgent judicial reform highlights growing concerns over the independence and integrity of the Nigerian judiciary, especially as it faces increasing political pressures.
