NBA to petition police over Kwankwaso’s claim of taking Abba Yusuf to s’court justices

The national executive council (NEC) of the Nigerian BarAssociation (NBA) says it has resolved to petition the Nigeria Police Force andother security agencies over claims of interference in the judicial process. The resolution followed comments attributed to RabiuKwankwaso, national leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), in whichhe claimed involvement in engagements with justices of the Supreme Court duringthe 2019 Kano governorship election proceedings. Kwankwaso claimed that during the 2019 Kano governorshipelection dispute, he took Abba Yusuf, Kano governor, to see justices of the Supreme Court after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)declared the election inconclusive. The apex court later ruled in favour of Abdullahi Ganduje,affirming his election and dismissing Yusuf’s petition. Kwankwaso made the remarks while addressing supporters,after Yusuf’s recent defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Reacting to the comments in a statement posted on X by EtabaAgbor, secretary to the Nigerian Bar Association Young Lawyers’ Forum, the NBAsaid the NEC deliberated on the comments after they attracted widespread publicattention. The body noted that such claims, whether made directly or byimplication, are capable of undermining public confidence in the independenceof the judiciary and Nigeria’s electoral justice system. The association said the scope of the petition would not belimited to Kwankwaso alone but would extend to any individual who has madestatements, admissions or public comments suggesting improper access tojudicial officers or undue influence over judicial decision-making. According to the NBA, the petition is directed at the claimsthemselves and does not amount to a presumption of guilt. “The objective is to ensure that allegations of this gravityare subjected to thorough, impartial, and professional investigation,” theassociation said. The NBA added that false claims of judicial interference are“dangerous and corrosive to constitutional democracy” and must be firmlyrepudiated, while stressing that where such claims are found to be true,accountability must follow in accordance with the law. The NEC mandated the national executive committee of the NBAto prepare and submit a formal petition to the Nigeria Police Force and otherrelevant security agencies, requesting a comprehensive investigation into allsuch claims. The NBA reaffirmed its commitment to the rule of law,judicial independence, and the integrity of the courts. Kwankwaso’s comments have since sparked public debate andcriticism, particularly among legal practitioners, over their implications forjudicial independence.

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