HURIWA Calls for Visa Ban on Judges Amid Allegations of Political Bias

 

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has demanded a visa ban on judges it accuses of corruption, condemning recent rulings from the Federal High Court that are perceived to be politically motivated. The group's call for action comes in response to a controversial judgment that halted federal allocations to Rivers State, which they describe as alarming.

In a statement issued by Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, HURIWA expressed concern over Justice Joyce Abdulmalik's ruling that affects financial distributions to Rivers State. This lawsuit was filed by a faction within the Rivers State House of Assembly aligned with former Governor Nyesom Wike, claiming authority over the state's funds.

HURIWA characterized this ruling as a "constitutional coup" that threatens Nigeria's democratic framework. The organization pointed to the ruling as an example of a troubling trend, recalling a previous case involving the Imo State governorship that led to a visa ban on Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, now the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

The group argued that this recent decision disregards a longstanding principle upheld by the Supreme Court, which maintains that federal authorities cannot withhold statutory allocations to states. HURIWA insisted that the judgment violates established legal precedents and places Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration at risk of political destabilization.

HURIWA claims that these "partisan" judgments undermine judicial impartiality, asserting that the judiciary should protect constitutional rights rather than serve specific political agendas. They described Justice Abdulmalik’s decision as exacerbating political tensions in Rivers State, potentially leading to civil unrest.

According to HURIWA, the ruling undermines the legitimacy of Governor Fubara’s elected administration, labeling it unconstitutional and akin to an effort to remove the governor without due process. The organization is urging international embassies, including those of the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, to impose travel restrictions on the judges involved in these politically charged rulings.