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Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Jibrin Okutepa, has expressed concern over the recent decision by the Federal High Court to suspend the upcoming local elections in Rivers State. He criticized the move, suggesting that some politicians are attempting to misuse the judicial system for their own benefit, which he believes could harm democratic principles.
On September 30, the court prevented the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) from providing the voter register to the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC). The ruling was made by Judge Peter Lifu, who pointed out that RSIEC had not adhered to its 2018 regulations regarding the voter register.
In a message posted on his verified X account, Okutepa expressed his disagreement with the court’s decision and highlighted the importance of maintaining judicial independence. He argued that judges must be free from political influence and should base their rulings solely on legal facts.
“In any country where the rule of law is upheld, judges must remain neutral and independent. They should never be seen as partisan or as tools of politicians,” Okutepa stated. He further emphasized that the judiciary’s impartiality is key to a fair justice system.
He also urged judges to follow established legal precedents, citing a recent Supreme Court ruling from July 11 that reinforced the financial autonomy of Nigeria’s local governments. Okutepa reminded the judiciary that Supreme Court decisions are binding and must be respected by all lower courts.
He questioned why some judges continue to block the release of electoral materials from INEC to state commissions, despite the Supreme Court’s stance on local government autonomy. He criticized the actions of certain legal practitioners who, in his view, were complicit in undermining the judicial system for political gain.
Concluding, Okutepa called for reforms within the legal profession to ensure the integrity of the judiciary and the protection of Nigeria’s democratic system. He warned that such court orders, if left unchecked, could weaken governance and harm the nation’s development.
