According to a report by Vanguard, Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, the Chairman of the Body of Benchers (BoB), has identified political interference as the foremost challenge facing the judiciary, particularly the Supreme Court, which operates as an independent arm of government. He commended the resilience of judges in resisting such political pressures but urged politicians to desist from encroaching on the judiciary's territory.
Chief Awomolo highlighted a specific instance of alleged inappropriate political influence on a Supreme Court justice. He stressed that such occurrences must cease immediately, advocating for a clear and distinct separation between the executive and judicial branches. He argued that politicians should be prepared to accept the repercussions of their actions without attempting to manipulate the judicial process.
Further addressing the issue, Awomolo pointed out the lack of discipline within the political class as a significant problem for Nigeria's democracy. He emphasized the necessity for accountability and responsible leadership across all levels of government. In his view, the political class's indiscretions have undermined the democratic process, and there is an urgent need for a reformation to uphold the integrity of the judiciary and democracy at large.
In his statement, Chief Awomolo remarked, "What I can say is that the challenges of the judiciary, not just the Supreme Court but the judiciary as an arm of government, is political interference. It has remained consistent and persistent, and our judges have done everything in the world to resist them. But let politicians leave the judiciary alone. Let them not carry their politics to the judiciary.
He continued, "I know there was one justice of the Supreme Court in this country who alleged that a Minister came to his house in the night and then mentioned the name of the President, implying the President's wishes. Let us not hear about that again. Let the executive mind its business. If politicians have done their rough jobs, let them face the consequences. One of the problems of our democracy in this country is that the political class is not disciplined, from leadership to the bottom."
Chief Awomolo's comments underscore the critical need for maintaining the independence of the judiciary and ensuring that political actors respect the boundaries of their influence. His call to action serves as a reminder of the importance of a disciplined and accountable political class to the health of Nigeria's democracy.