Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has cautioned the judiciary against actions that could spark unrest in Rivers State following a Federal High Court ruling in Abuja that ordered the Central Bank of Nigeria to halt all payments to the state.
In a statement released Wednesday by Paul Ibe, his Media Adviser, Atiku expressed concern over what he described as undue influence from government loyalists manipulating judicial decisions behind the scenes.
Atiku questioned Justice Joyce Abdulmalik’s decision to issue the order, noting that Rivers State had already filed an appeal regarding the Court of Appeal’s recent judgment, which declared the state’s 2024 budget illegal.
He stated, “Last week, the Court of Appeal ruled the Rivers State budget illegal because it was passed by an incomplete assembly, directing Governor Siminalayi Fubara to present the budget afresh. The Rivers State Government has filed a notice of appeal for the Supreme Court to review the matter. Unfortunately, certain elements within the Bola Tinubu administration seem to have secured a ruling aimed at undermining this process.”
Atiku referenced warnings from Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, who had previously alerted Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, to potential judicial compromises, including alleged gifts given to judges in Abuja. “Falana’s warning was, sadly, ignored,” he noted.
He praised the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, for calling to account judges involved in the Rivers State cases and urged strict disciplinary actions against those found complicit, to restore the judiciary’s credibility.
“Nigeria has become a theater of absurdities since the Tinubu administration assumed office,” Atiku said. “Courts are increasingly entangled in political conflicts, from the emirship dispute in Kano State to the situation in Rivers, where judicial orders are preventing elections and threatening democratic principles.”
He continued, “Under leaders who claim to have fought for Nigeria’s democracy, the country is descending into chaos. Conflicting court orders are now commonplace, while judges are being influenced under the guise of ‘empowerment’ and housing provision.”
Atiku warned that this trend could drive away foreign investors, noting, “Investors avoid places where justice is up for sale. Nigerians are losing faith in an institution that should be their last hope.”
He added, “With Rivers State contributing nearly 25% of Nigeria’s oil revenue, the nation cannot afford further destabilization. For the sake of our economic future, the judiciary must act to preserve its integrity and protect the nation from a descent into chaos.”
Atiku concluded by urging the judiciary to restore public confidence and act swiftly before further damage is done.
