By Abiola Olawale
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has announced its intention to petition the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, following controversial remarks made by former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso regarding the Supreme Court’s affirmation of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s mandate.
The move comes amid a deepening political rift in Kano State, sparked by Yusuf’s recent defection from the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The controversy ignited after Senator Kwankwaso, the leader of the Kwankwasiyya movement, reportedly suggested in a public address that he “took” Governor Yusuf to specific Supreme Court justices to ensure his legal victory in 2024.
The NBA has condemned these statements as a direct assault on the integrity of the Nigerian judiciary.
Reacting to the comments in a statement posted on X by Etaba Agbor, secretary to the Nigerian Bar Association Young Lawyers’ Forum, the NBA said the NEC deliberated on the comments after they attracted widespread public attention.
The body noted that such claims, whether made directly or by implication, are capable of undermining public confidence in the independence of the judiciary and Nigeria’s electoral justice system.
The association said the scope of the petition would not be limited to Kwankwaso alone but would extend to any individual who has made statements, admissions, or public comments suggesting improper access to judicial officers or undue influence over judicial decision-making.
The statement reads: “The National Executive Council (NEC) of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) @NigBarAssoc has resolved that the Association formally petition the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies over public statements and claims suggesting interference with, or undue influence over, the judicial process, particularly those attributed to a former Governor of Kano State, Engr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso.
“The resolution followed NEC deliberations arising from widespread public attention to comments reportedly made by Engr. Kwankwaso in which he claimed involvement in engagements with Justices of the Supreme Court during the 2019 Kano State governorship election proceedings. NEC noted that such claims, whether made directly or by implication, are capable of undermining public confidence in the independence of the judiciary and the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral justice system.
“NEC further resolved that the scope of the petition should not be limited to the claims attributed to Engr. Kwankwaso alone, but should extend to any other individual who has made statements, admissions, or public comments suggesting that they influenced, attempted to influence, or had improper access to judicial officers or judicial decision-making processes.
“In adopting the resolution, NEC emphasised that the petition is directed at the claims and assertions themselves, and not a presumption of guilt. The objective is to ensure that allegations of this gravity are subjected to thorough, impartial, and professional investigation. NEC noted that where such claims are false, they are dangerous and corrosive to constitutional democracy and must be firmly repudiated. Where they are true, accountability must follow in accordance with the law.
“NEC therefore mandated the National Executive Committee of the NBA to prepare and submit a formal petition to the Nigeria Police Force and other appropriate security agencies, requesting a comprehensive investigation into all such claims of judicial interference or influence, with a view to safeguarding judicial independence and restoring public confidence in the administration of justice.
“The Nigerian Bar Association reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the rule of law, the independence of the judiciary, and the principle that no person, regardless of status or political history, is entitled to make or propagate claims that cast doubt on the integrity of the courts without lawful scrutiny.”
