Judiciary has hurt democracy in the Southeast — CSOs

A Coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) domiciled in the Southeastern States of Nigeria have again accused the judiciary of playing ignoble role in the lack of progress in the zone since the advent of the democratic governance, especially since 2019.

The group made the accusation at a one-day symposium, on Wednesday, in Umuahia, Abia State, to mark the 10th anniversary of Southeast Democracy Clinic, a platform geared to help deepen civil rule and ensure that the dividend of democracy get to people of the geopolitical zone.

The group alleged that the judiciary had been in bed with “vagabonds of power ” in the zone who they claim, brazenly steal the mandate of the people and mock them with the usual refrain ‘Go To Court’, confident that their loot is secure.

Advertisement

They submitted that it was only the 2023 governorship election in Abia and the off-season governorship election in Anambra State in 2022 that had a semblance of electoral credibility, and which outcomes represented the will of the people of the two states , stating categorically that judiciary has not been fair in delivering justice to the people of Imo in the recent off season poll, as well as Enugu and Ebonyi States in the 2023 election.

Zeroing on Imo, Dr Emeka Ononamadu, Founder of Southeast Democracy Clinic and former Resident Electoral Commissioner, Enugu State, queried what the Imo State Electoral Tribunal meant when it ruled in its recent judgement that the poll was in substantial compliance with enabling statutes when issues of widespread violence, thuggery, intimidation of voters, BVAS. Issues, vote buying, manipulation of results, snatching and or destruction of ballot boxes were rife.
Ononamadu, a lawyer insists.that;

“Widespread Violence and Intimidation, Electoral Malpractice: Incidents of ballot box snatching, vote-buying, and manipulation of results. These practices undermined the integrity of the election process. Also Logistical Problems: Delays in the delivery of electoral materials and issues with the functionality of the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) led to significant disruptions and confusion at many polling stations. Security Failures: Despite the presence of security forces, there were failures in effectively securing polling units and ensuring the safety of voters and election officials.

“Low Voter Turnout: Due to fears of violens” . Amid.these and other plethora of complaints reported by election observers Ononamadu noted that the tribunal ruled that the poll was in substantial compliancet with enabling laws.”

Also speaking at the symposium with the theme: Post Election Judgement and Conflicting CSOs Observation Report: An.Indictmemt on CSOs or Judicial Intervention, Dr Chris Nwadigo, Executive Director, Peoples Rights Organization, noted that there was no law prohibiting the admission of report of election observers in evidence in court, and.womdered why the nation’s courts have failed to leverage on reports of election observers to dispense justice.

He insisted that Nigeria should join other nations in the world who he said use such reports as grounds for judicial intervention in election disputes.

In a communique drawn at the end of the symposium and made available to this medium the participants called on the judiciary to use electoral justice to save Nigeria democracy, starting with the outstanding post-election case in Imo State

Other participants in the event held on Wednesday includes the State Coordinator of National Human Rights Commission, Bar. Uche Nwokocha, the Convener of Southeast Democracy Clinic Dr. Temple Nwosu, who facilitated the event, the Special Assistance to the Abia Governor on People with Disabilities, Mr. David Anyaele and The Special Adviser to Abia State governor on Ease of Doing Business, Bar, Jennifer Agbonma Ukaobasi, the Executive Director of Citizens Centre for Integrated Development and Social Rights, Ms Nnenna Onyenoha, among others.