There was a massive demonstration on this morning, Monday, March 27, 2024 as members of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria took to the streets, decrying what they termed as “judicial interference” in Benue State.

Led by their convener, Igwe Ude-Umanta, the protesters marched to the National Judicial Council (NJC), where they submitted a petition urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to intervene in what they described as a growing crisis within the judiciary.

Ude-Umanta specifically accused Benue State’s Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, of overstepping his authority by unilaterally scrapping security deposits for petitioners at the Local Government Election Tribunal which he claimed was unlawful.

He further criticized Ikpambese for allegedly relocating the tribunal proceedings to Abuja, calling it a violation of Benue’s electoral laws.

“The judiciary is the bedrock of any democracy, but today, it has become more politicised than registered political parties,” Ude-Umanta asserted.

“How can a Chief Judge flagrantly abuse his office and the NJC remains silent?”

The coalition also accused Justice M.M. Adamu of the FCT High Court of undermining due process by granting an order that allowed the tribunal to convene in Abuja, despite a previous Federal High Court ruling in Makurdi that had prohibited such a move.

“There is no justice near Justice M.M. Adamu for granting an order against Benue’s electoral laws,”

“He is no longer fit to be a judge anywhere in the world.”

The protesters urged Justice Kekere-Ekun to take immediate action to rid the judiciary of individuals they described as threats to its integrity.

They also called on President Tinubu to address the issue before public confidence in the legal system is further eroded.

Despite alleged attempts at police intimidation, the protesters acknowledged the FCT Commissioner of Police for maintaining order during the demonstration.

They vowed to sustain their advocacy until what they perceive as judicial manipulation is fully addressed.