The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has resolved to petition the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies over allegations of judicial interference arising from comments reportedly made by former Kano State Governor, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, regarding the 2019 Kano State governorship election litigation.
The decision was taken at the NBA National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held in Maiduguri, where members reviewed remarks attributed to Kwankwaso suggesting involvement in “engagements” with Supreme Court justices during the post-election legal battle.
A participant at the meeting said the NEC expressed grave concern that such statements, whether true or not, pose a serious threat to public confidence in the independence and credibility of the judiciary.
In its resolution, the Council warned that claims of improper access to judicial officers could undermine trust in Nigeria’s electoral justice system and weaken constitutional democracy if left unaddressed.
The NBA said it would formally petition the police and relevant security agencies to investigate anyone who has publicly claimed to have influenced or gained improper access to judicial decision-making processes.
“Where such claims are false, they are dangerous and corrosive to constitutional democracy and must be firmly repudiated. Where, however, they are found to be true, accountability must follow strictly in accordance with the law,” the Council stated.
The association clarified that its move does not amount to an accusation of guilt but is a call for a professional, fact-finding investigation to establish the truth of the claims.
It stressed that the objective is to prevent the administration of justice from being politicised or discredited through unverified assertions.
The NEC mandated the drafting and submission of a formal petition and engagement with security agencies to thoroughly probe the matter, while reaffirming that no individual regardless of political status is beyond lawful scrutiny when allegations touch on the integrity of the courts.
The NBA added that the action aligns with its broader responsibility to uphold the rule of law and protect the judiciary from perceived political interference.
