CSOs To Petition Justice Simon Amobeda Over Kano Court Ruling
A coalition of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) under the Nigeria Democracy Working Group has vowed to file a petition against Justice Simon Amobeda of the Federal High Court, Kano, following his recent ruling that sacked the Chairman and five members of the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission (KNSIEC) just days before the scheduled Local Government Council elections.
In a strongly worded statement released on Wednesday, the group condemned the ruling, calling it “judicial recklessness” and accusing the court of undermining democracy in Kano. The CSOs argued that the judgment jeopardizes the peace and security of the state, which has been preparing for the elections in line with Supreme Court directives.
According to the Nigeria Democracy Working Group, the court’s decision is a deliberate attempt to create confusion and disrupt the electoral process in a state with a population of over 20 million. “This judgment is insensitive, anti-people, anti-democracy, and a miscarriage of justice,” the group said in its statement.
The coalition, which represents civil society organizations, academics, and democracy activists across Nigeria, pledged to mobilize 1,000 organizations to file a petition against Justice Amobeda before the National Judicial Council (NJC). They believe this action will serve as a deterrent to other judges issuing similar rulings.
“We call on the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere Ekun, to take decisive action against Justice Amobeda and uphold her pledge to reform the judiciary,” said Dr. Vincent Okpara Innocent, the group’s convener.
The CSOs criticized what they described as a pattern of conflicting and irrational judgments from federal courts in Kano, alleging that such rulings are harming public confidence in the judiciary. They also called on Nigerians to reject decisions that undermine democratic governance.
The statement concluded by urging the NJC to discipline Justice Amobeda to restore the judiciary’s integrity.
