Review controversial appeal court rulings – Northern Council tells Supreme Court

The North Central Citizens Council, a northern based group has asked the Supreme Court to review all the controversial Court of Appeal rulings in the interest of fairness, equity and good of the nation.

In a statement by the Council on Monday which was signed by the Coordinator, Mohammed Eneji, he said, the apex temple of justice in Nigeria must play a pivotal role in restoring public confidence in the judiciary to avoid far-reaching consequences.

He said the controversies, inconsistencies and contradictions rocking Appeal Court’s ruling on Plateau, Zamfara and Kano governorship elections will completely mar the integrity of the nation’s judiciary, if Supreme Court failed to come to the rescue.

The statement reads in part; “The North Central Citizens Council (NCCC), alongside other concerned individuals and groups, has raised serious concerns regarding the inconsistencies and contradictions in judicial decisions, particularly since the March 2023 governorship elections in most Northern Nigerian states.

“These decisions have created general confusion and uncertainty across the North, exacerbating the disquiet caused by political opportunism and corruption.

“The deliberate miscarriages of justice occasioned by the selective application of the law between the North and the rest of the country represent a much wider conspiracy to bring the North down on its knees by incapacitation and balkanization.

“The uncertainties and compromises in the judiciary pose a significant threat as part of a wider plot to destabilize the region, as evidenced by the inconsistent and contradictory decisions taken by the Appeal Court in states such as Kano, Plateau, and Zamfara.
“The emerging trends in Nigeria’s judiciary are pregnant with complications and unforeseen consequences. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu must act swiftly to prevent the drift towards anarchy and bloodshed.

“The Kano governorship election case, in particular, has attracted significant attention due to the contentious nature of the decisions made by the Appeal Court. This erosion of public trust can have severe consequences, including social unrest, political instability, and a breakdown of law and order. As the leader of Nigeria, Tinubu has a responsibility to address these emerging trends promptly.

“In this critical juncture, the Supreme Court, as the apex temple of justice in Nigeria, must play a pivotal role in restoring public confidence in the judiciary. It is imperative that the Supreme Court critically reviews the controversial decisions made by the Appeal Court in the Kano governorship election case and other states in the North. By doing so, the Supreme Court can demonstrate its commitment to upholding justice and the rule of law, thereby restoring faith in the judiciary.

“The Supreme Court, must critically review controversial decisions to save the dwindling integrity of the judiciary. Failure to address these issues promptly could have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s stability and reputation.”