The Access to Justice and Accountability Forum (AJAF) has strongly condemned human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, over what it described as persistent attacks on the Nigerian judiciary and alleged acts of contempt against courts and judges.
In a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Dr. Mustapha Sani, and Secretary, Emmanuel David Mahu, the civil society organisation expressed concern over what it termed Sowore’s repeated public comments and actions aimed at discrediting judicial officers and undermining confidence in the nation’s justice system.
AJAF stated that while citizens have the constitutional right to freedom of expression and the right to seek accountability from public institutions, such rights must be exercised within the boundaries of the law and with due respect for judicial processes.
According to the group, recent remarks attributed to Sowore regarding ongoing legal proceedings and judicial officers amount to an attempt to influence public perception of matters before competent courts, a development it said could erode public trust in the administration of justice.
“The judiciary remains one of the most critical pillars of Nigeria’s democracy. Any attempt to malign judges without verifiable evidence or to subject judicial officers to public ridicule poses a serious threat to the rule of law and democratic governance,” the statement read.
The organisation further noted that criticism of judicial decisions should be pursued through lawful channels, including appeals and established complaint mechanisms, rather than through public campaigns that could bring the courts into disrepute.
AJAF urged political actors, activists and civil society groups to uphold the sanctity and independence of the judiciary, stressing that disagreements with court rulings should not translate into personal attacks against judges.
The forum also called on relevant authorities and stakeholders in the justice sector to remain vigilant in protecting judicial institutions from intimidation and undue pressure.
Reaffirming its commitment to the promotion of justice, accountability and democratic values, AJAF urged Nigerians to support efforts aimed at strengthening public confidence in the nation’s legal system.
“The integrity of the judiciary must be protected at all times. Democracy thrives when institutions are respected and disputes are resolved through lawful and constitutional means,” the statement added.
Middle-Belt Times 