HURIWA Petitions Foreign Governments Over Threats To Democracy In Rivers State

In a bold and focused campaign, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has urged the United States, United Kingdom, and European Union to impose visa bans on judges accused of undermining democracy in Rivers State, Nigeria’s largest crude oil-producing region.

This initiative is part of a larger effort to combat what HURIWA called the “judicial emasculation of constitutional democracy” in Rivers State, which they claim threatens the stability of Nigeria’s political landscape.

The announcement was made during a press conference on Monday in Abuja by HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko. He disclosed that formal petitions have been submitted to the embassies of the US, UK, and EU, calling attention to judicial rulings that appear to favour influential political figures. The petitions specifically name judges, including Chief Judge John Tsoho, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik, and Justice Peter Lifu, whom HURIWA accused of delivering verdicts that align with political interests at the expense of justice in Rivers State

Onwubiko highlighted a particularly contentious ruling by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which halted federal revenue allocations to Rivers State. According to HURIWA, the decision was based on a controversial claim that Governor Siminalayi Fubara presented the 2024 state budget to just four members of the legislature instead of the full assembly. HURIWA argued that this ruling served the interests of a political faction allegedly loyal to former Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, now the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“Rivers State’s constitutional democracy is under direct threat from a judiciary that appears more aligned with political agenda than with the rule of law,” Onwubiko declared. He emphasized that the judiciary’s perceived bias is undermining the faith of the Nigerian people in the country’s democratic institutions, especially in politically sensitive regions like Rivers State.

As part of its strategy, Onwubiko informed that HURIWA is organizing a high-profile international event in Brisbane, Australia, by the end of the year. The event, titled “Judicial Emasculation of Constitutional Democracy in Rivers State, Nigeria,” will focus on the judicial controversies impacting Rivers State.

“Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, Australia, is renowned for its vibrant arts scene, economic significance, and commitment to human rights. The city, with a history that dates back to its establishment as a penal settlement in the 19thcentury, has become a hub for international discourse and cultural exchange. This makes it an ideal location for HURIWA’s global outreach.

“HURIWA’s international representatives and affiliates, who are based in Brisbane, will play a significant role in the event, which aims to bring together legal experts, human rights advocates, and international observers to discuss the implications of judicial partiality on Nigeria’s democracy.

The goal is to raise global awareness and support for judicial independence in Nigeria, starting with Rivers State”, Onwubiko disclosed.

HURIWA’s accusations centre on several high-profile judicial decisions that have emerged from Rivers State, including rulings that have had a profound impact on local governance and political stability. The organization cited a Court of Appeal decision that overturned a Federal High Court judgment, which had initially sought to halt local government elections in Rivers State. The timing and nature of these rulings have led to allegations of judicial bias, suggesting that political motives may be influencing legal outcomes.

“Judicial overreach is becoming the norm, with certain judges favouring political players instead of upholding the rule of law,” Onwubiko stated, expressing concern that these actions pose a serious threat to Nigeria’s democratic foundation. He stressed that these issues are not isolated but part of a broader pattern of judicial complicity in Rivers State, which HURIWA intends to highlight through its global advocacy.

To curb judicial bias, HURIWA is pressing for international sanctions, including travel restrictions and visa bans, on the judges in question. Drawing parallels with past international actions, such as the visa restrictions placed on Nigerian justices after the controversial Supreme Court decision that overturned Governor Emeka Ihedioha’s election in Imo State, HURIWA believes that similar pressure could help restore judicial integrity in Rivers State.

“Rivers State is Nigeria’s economic heartbeat as the largest crude oil-producing state,” Onwubiko remarked. “The stakes are high, not just for Nigeria’s democracy but for the nation’s economy. A judiciary that is not impartial threatens not only political stability but also economic progress, as it deters foreign investment in the region.”

“HURIWA’s call for international solidarity has already garnered interest from global human rights organizations, who view the Brisbane event as a platform to advocate for judicial reform in Nigeria. We in HURIWA are confident that sustained international attention will pressure the Nigerian judiciary to return to its core function as an impartial arbiter of justice.”

Onwubiko reiterated that HURIWA will not relent in its efforts to expose what it sees as a compromised judiciary in Rivers State. He emphasized that the Brisbane event and ongoing petitions are just the beginning of a broader strategy to mobilize both local and international actors for judicial accountability.

“We need a judiciary that can be trusted to deliver justice without political interference,” Onwubiko concluded. “Rivers State deserves a fair and independent judiciary, and we are committed to achieving that goal through all legal and international means available to us.”