The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised fresh alarm, alleging that the Federal Government is planning to manipulate the judiciary by seeking to replace the judge presiding over its leadership dispute.
In a statement issued on Friday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC disclosed that it had received a letter written by Nafiu Bala requesting the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court to reassign the case to another judge.
“It has now been proven beyond all reasonable doubt that the sinister plot allegedly led by a notorious federal minister is indeed afoot. This is no longer about justice or the merit of the case, but about the desperation of political operatives confronted by the utter frivolity of their case,” the party said.
Abdullahi accused Bala and his handlers of trying to turn the judiciary into a shopping mall where judges suitable for political schemes are picked and chosen.
He argued that no one should file a case and then attempt to dictate which judge should hear it simply because proceedings are not going in their favour.
“No litigant has the right to choose a judge in his own matter,” he said, stressing that the attempt to seek an indefinite adjournment after the clear directives of the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court for a speedy trial raises serious questions about the willingness of lower courts to obey express orders from superior courts.
Abdullahi lamented that rather than allowing the matter to proceed expeditiously, as any aggrieved plaintiff genuinely seeking justice would, Bala and his handlers were allegedly looking for ways to stall the case until they found a judge willing to do their bidding and pervert the course of justice.
“We regret to say that this is exactly the kind of political interference and behind-the-scenes manipulation that has brought the judiciary into disrepute,” he noted, assuring that the ADC would continue to stand by the rule of law.
He, however, warned that the rule of law must not be replaced with judicial intimidation or forum shopping.
Abdullahi added that the courts must remain independent and that judicial officers should be allowed to do their work without political interference or orchestrated campaigns designed to influence proceedings.
