A coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) in Nigeria has urged the judiciary to restore public confidence in the courts through the court case involving Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State.

Uzodinma and former Governor Rochas Okorocha were in court over the Imo West senatorial race. Uzodimma claims he won the primary election through Option A4, while the APC’s national leadership had stated in its submission to the court that he emerged through a consensus arrangement.

The coalition described the accounts as conflicting, alleging that the process was fraudulent. The group recalled the controversial 2020 Supreme Court judgment that declared Uzodimma the winner of the Imo State governorship election, displacing Emeka Ihedioha, noting that the judgment attracted widespread criticism.

“Uzodimma is now involved in another legal dispute, this time with former Governor Rochas Okorocha. The case relates to an earlier ruling in which a judge reportedly said that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had wrongly declared Uzodimma the winner instead of Okorocha,” the group noted.

It said that previous disputes over Imo State’s governorship had seriously damaged the judiciary’s reputation and referred to reports that several Nigerian judges had been denied US visas.

The group’s position was contained in a statement it issued in Bauchi, Bauchi State, signed by Job Samuel Danfulani of the Centre for Public Integrity, John Samuel Nangi of Nigeria Integrity Watch, and Mohammed Ibrahim Sumaila of the Northern Council of Nigeria.

Other signatories were Abdullahi Salisu of the Nigeria Ethnic Nationality Forum and Hassana Mohammed of the Foundation for Democracy in Africa.

The coalition recalled that the fallout from the Imo governorship ruling embarrassed the Supreme Court. It also alleged that justices involved in the case were denied U.S. visas despite holding valid travel documents.

It also quoted former Cross River State governor, Donald Duke, who referred to the reported visa denials in his memoir and at a book launch in February 2023. Duke was reported to have mocked the Supreme Court justices who delivered the 2020 Imo State governorship election judgement, revealing that they were denied US visas.

“The justices had planned to travel to the United States for a legal conference but were denied visas, while their aides were granted them. How much disgrace can we take as a nation before we say enough is enough?” Duke queried.

The coalition warned that Uzodimma must not be allowed to further damage the judiciary’s reputation, saying the current case presents an important opportunity for the courts to restore public confidence.

The group also called on security agencies to investigate reports circulating in the Southeast that Uzodimma is positioning himself to become Nigeria’s first Igbo president, saying, it had no objection to his presidential ambition, but argued that the means by which he intends to pursue it should be established.

It said the claims should not be dismissed, given Uzodimma’s rise to the governorship through the courts, and urged that his political manoeuvres should not be underestimated.

The coalition recalled that Deji Adeyanju and the late Ariyo-Dare, acting through the Coalition in Defence of Nigerian Democracy and Constitution, had petitioned the United States to impose visa restrictions on Supreme Court justices. It hoped the judiciary would not repeat past mistakes.

“The temple of justice must stand up to any fraudulent attempt by anyone to smuggle himself into the 11th Senate,” the group said, commending Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, for his unwavering integrity. The group stated that more judges of his calibre are needed in the judiciary.

The group noted that despite alleged pressure and lobbying, Justice Egwuatu upheld justice, saying, “for his steadfastness, he deserves both commendation and a national award.”