A women-focused advocacy organization, the Women Rights Advocacy Group (WOREG), has accused activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, of allegedly using the judiciary and judicial officers as instruments for personal publicity and social media content creation.
The group which made the allegation in a statement signed by the Convener, Mrs Amina Dikko, condemned what it described as repeated attacks on judges and judicial institutions by the former presidential candidate.
According to WOREG, Sowore’s comments and conduct in relation to ongoing court proceedings amount to a deliberate attempt to undermine public confidence in the judiciary and erode respect for the rule of law.
The group expressed concern that persistent public criticism directed at judges handling sensitive cases could exert undue pressure on the courts and create an atmosphere of intimidation around judicial officers.
“While every citizen has the constitutional right to freedom of expression, such rights must be exercised responsibly and within the bounds of the law. The judiciary remains a critical pillar of democracy and should not be subjected to reckless attacks aimed at generating publicity or online engagement,” the statement said.
WOREG maintained that disagreements with court decisions should be addressed through established legal mechanisms, including the appellate process, rather than through public campaigns that may be interpreted as attempts to discredit judicial officers.
The organization further warned that sustained attacks on judges could weaken public trust in the justice system and threaten the independence of the courts.
It called on political actors, activists, civil society organizations and members of the public to respect judicial processes and allow courts to discharge their constitutional responsibilities without interference.
The group also urged relevant authorities and professional bodies to continue safeguarding the integrity of the judiciary while ensuring that legitimate criticism of judicial decisions remains constructive and consistent with democratic principles.
According to the statement, the concerns come amid ongoing public debates surrounding several high-profile court cases and growing discussions about the role of social media in shaping public perceptions of judicial proceedings.
WOREG noted that Sowore has on several occasions publicly criticized judicial decisions and institutions, arguing that scrutiny of the justice sector is necessary to promote accountability.
However, the Women group insisted that criticism should not degenerate into personal attacks on judges or attempts to ridicule the judicial system for political advantage or media attention.
The advocacy group reiterated its call for responsible public engagement on judicial matters, stressing that the preservation of judicial independence remains essential to the sustenance of democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria.
Middle-Belt Times 