Afam Osigwe, SAN, President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has stressed the importance of adhering to the rule of law following the Supreme Court’s ruling on the political crisis in Rivers State. In his first official statement, Osigwe reinforced that the Supreme Court’s judgment is final and must be respected by all, regardless of personal or political opinions.

Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State has complied with the Supreme Court’s decision, directing all local government chairmen to step down and hand over to the heads of the local government administration. Although he disagreed with the ruling, Governor Fubara affirmed his commitment to follow it. Osigwe praised the governor for respecting the judiciary’s authority, drawing a parallel with the 2000 U.S. Supreme Court decision that resulted in George W. Bush’s victory.

Osigwe further emphasized that the judiciary’s role in resolving political disputes is inevitable when political actors fail to settle conflicts. He rejected the notion that such issues should be kept out of court, stressing that the judiciary is tasked with adjudicating such matters. He also cautioned against selective obedience to court rulings and the use of derogatory language towards the judiciary.

Addressing concerns about the judiciary’s integrity, Osigwe dismissed claims of manipulation, noting that allegations remain speculative without concrete evidence. However, he acknowledged the growing pressure on the judiciary due to political cases, which are delaying justice in other areas. He called for judicial reforms, including limiting pre-election matters and restricting the types of cases that reach the Supreme Court to only constitutional or precedent-setting ones.

Osigwe also highlighted the slow pace of justice, calling for technological advancements in court processes to reduce delays. He suggested that the courts need better case management and systemic changes to ensure that justice is served more efficiently.

Lastly, Osigwe addressed the issue of court order defiance, urging government agencies and stakeholders to respect judicial decisions. He called for a national conversation on judicial reforms to strengthen and improve the legal system in Nigeria.

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