Olisa Agbakoba, a senior attorney and former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has expressed doubts about the judiciary’s ability to provide impartial justice in light of the fact that politicians and their parties are turning to the courts to address complaints stemming from the recent general election.
Mr. Agbakoba stated in an interview with Channels Television that recent court decisions have not reflected what might be considered reasonable political decision-making.
I’ve lost a little faith in the recent actions of the courts. There was a time when you could predict this based on the facts and the law. Today you can’t, on the grounds that there’s been a wide range of senseless choices,” he said.
The senior lawyer made reference to a shocking Supreme Court decision that affirmed Senate President Ahmed Lawan as the legitimate All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate in his senatorial district despite the fact that he hijacked the candidacy of Bashir Machina, the winner of the primaries.
He declared, “That is the most ridiculous decision I’ve ever heard the Supreme Court deliver.”
“I will not be surprised if this thing goes one way or the other. I don’t have the kind of confidence that I used to have in the judiciary. He continued, “I cannot predict the outcome.”