The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) has raised concerns over what it described as growing judicial injustice in Nigeria, warning that declining public confidence in the judiciary poses a serious threat to the rule of law, constitutional democracy and the nation’s political stability.

The forum made the remarks in a statement by Spokesperson, Prof. Abubakar Jika Jiddere, on Sunday.

NEF called for urgent judicial reforms to strengthen the independence, transparency and integrity of the courts, stressing that justice must remain impartial and free from external influence.

According to the statement, Nigeria’s democracy is facing one of the gravest institutional threats since the return to constitutional rule.

It said increasing public concern over the administration of justice has created a dangerous perception that the Judiciary, the last constitutional refuge of the ordinary citizen, is steadily losing the confidence of the people it exists to protect.

“The Rule of Law is the foundation of every constitutional democracy. Once citizens begin to doubt the independence, impartiality and integrity of the courts, the legitimacy of every democratic institution is placed at risk. No nation can remain politically stable where justice is perceived as selective, inconsistent or susceptible to external influence.”

The forum further said disturbing patterns have emerged across the country that demand urgent institutional reflection, noting that judicial proceedings in matters affecting political rights, civil liberties and democratic participation have generated widespread public concern regarding consistency, predictability and fidelity to constitutional principles.

It lamented what it described as increasing delay in determining matters involving personal liberty, prolonged and condition-burdened bail proceedings, saying liberty should never become the casualty of procedural technicalities.

The statement added, “The Constitution guarantees that every accused person remains innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction, and every judicial process must faithfully uphold that guarantee.”

According to the forum, the Judiciary carries an even greater constitutional responsibility, as Nigeria prepares for another electoral cycle.

The statement stated, “Every judicial decision affecting political rights must be demonstrably independent, legally sound and transparently reasoned.

“The courts must remain above every appearance of political preference, institutional bias or external influence. Justice must never only be impartial, it must be visibly and unquestionably impartial.”

NEF called on all constitutional institutions charged with safeguarding judicial integrity to reinforce the highest standards of judicial ethics, transparency, accountability and institutional independence, saying Negeri’s democracy depends on a judiciary that commands public confidence through integrity. (Daily Trust)

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