By Abdullahi O. Haruna (Haruspice)
There is a dangerous trend that, if not urgently checked, could spell doom for the nation’s judicial landscape, with Kano State at the forefront of this macabre absurdity. The trend involves using state mercenaries to undermine, impugn, and intimidate judges.The latest episode in this unsettling series is the denigration of Justice Simon Amobeda by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Chairman, Kano Chapter, Usman Umar Fari. This bizarre antic stands out as one of the rarest manifestations ever recorded in the judicial realm, where entities are deployed to obstruct the wheels of justice.
The most recent instance occurred at the Federal High Court in Kano on Friday, when the Kano State Government filed an application requesting Justice Simon Amobeda to recuse himself from a case involving the recent local government elections, citing perceived bias. In the case (Suit No: FHC/KN/CS/425/2024), the All Progressives Congress (APC) and other plaintiffs sought a declaration that no democratically elected council chairmen exist in Kano. The plaintiffs also requested the court to restrain the Federal Government, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), and the Accountant-General, among others, from releasing statutory funds to the 44 local government councils in the state.
Justice Amobeda, known for his no-nonsense demeanor, wasted no time in criticizing the NBA Chairman’s antics. He remarked, “Only lazy lawyers make applications for recusal,” and accused lawyers in Kano State of saying “despicable things” about him. The judge clarified that he was not against the Kano State Government but opposed “the impunity of the state,” adding that he had previously delivered judgments favorable to the government in other cases.
From the unfolding events, it is evident that the NBA Chairman’s antics were not only laughable but utterly lugubrious. He appeared as a hastily packaged errand boy—fuming and puffing with watery arguments, seemingly fulfilling what many onlookers considered a hatchet job for the state government. His questionable approach shocked the lawyers present in court, drawing widespread condemnation. Many distanced themselves from the charade, describing the chairman’s posture as embarrassingly condescending.
Driven by mischief, the NBA Chairman stormed the courtroom armed with a motion and a voluminous document of annexures, alleging—without merit—that over seventy cases presided over by Justice Amobeda in Kano were against the state. This was a lamentable distortion and barefaced mendacity. For the record, Justice Amobeda’s judgments in Kano have been celebrated as watertight and rooted in sound legal precedents. Conscientious members of the public recognize his rulings as examples of fairness and justice.
One such judgment saved the people of Kano from an impending drug menace. The ruling, which garnered Federal Government attention and prompted the Minister of Health to visit the Kano State Governor, compelled recalcitrant drug dealers in Sabon Gari Market to relocate to a designated site along Kano-Zaria Road. This judgment, hailed as a legal milestone, has since become a reference point for the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control (NAFDAC) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA). Ironically, this very ruling, which earned Justice Amobeda widespread accolades, was included by the NBA Chairman among the judgments he wrongly claimed were against the state government. In reference, In the case of NIGERIA ASSOCIATION OF PATENTS AND PROPRIETORS MEDICINE DEALERS & 4 ORDERS. VS PHARMACY COUNCIL OF NIGERIA & ORS. IN SUIT NO.FHC/KN/152/2023.
This is the consequence of vested interests taking precedence over moral conscience. In a rush to please his political benefactors, the NBA Chairman neglected diligence and exposed his intent as a merchant of state-sponsored advocacy. His failure to verify facts before acting on the emotions of his political clients further highlights his compromised position.
The NBA Chairman’s sudden interest in these cases, despite having no prior involvement, raises pertinent questions. On what locus standi does he base his interest in this orchestrated attack on Justice Amobeda? When did the Nigerian Bar Association transform into a hired advocacy body used to obstruct justice? Why is the Kano State Government so intent on muzzling judicial independence?
Justice Simon Amobeda became a target the day he delivered a landmark judgment against the state government for the insensitive demolition of mosques and business areas. That day, he earned the ire of the establishment, and the war against this fearless and stoic judge began. In reference, THE INCORPORATED TRUSTEES OF MASSALCIN IDI SHOPS OWNERS ASSOCIATION & 55 ORS. VS KANO STATE GOVERNMENT & ORS. SUIT NO. FHC/KN/CS/208/2023, Justice Amobeda resisted pressure from the Kano State Government, earning praise from the community. The government opted for an out-of-court settlement, paying 3 billion Naira, reduced from the initial 30 billion Naira award.
The NBA’s role in this saga is a glaring betrayal of its mandate to uphold justice. Instead of resisting state overreach, the NBA, under its Kano chairman, has emboldened illegality. It is a stark reminder of the adage: “There is no creed money cannot decrypt.”
The NBA in Kano must prioritize the rule of law and justice over needless political affiliations. The Chairman must be an arbiter of the law, not a lackey to politicians. A politically neutral NBA leadership will enhance public confidence in the association and uphold its commitment to justice and ethics. Failure to do so will leave Kano State vulnerable to the machinations of rogue politicians, a compromised judiciary, and legal practitioners turned political tools.
In conclusion, the blatant manipulation of facts on social media platforms, aimed at discrediting Justice Amobeda, is a stark reminder of the urgent need to safeguard the integrity of our judiciary. The National Judicial Council must take decisive action to prevent the use of telephones in courts, thereby protecting the sanctity of our justice system. Only through such measures can we ensure that truth and justice prevail, untainted by the malicious agendas of those who seek to undermine our institutions. The time for action is now.
*Abdullahi O Haruna haruspicee@yahoo.com is a public commentator