The convener of the Youths Off The Street Initiative (YOTSI), Comrade Kennedy Iyere, has written a reminder letter to the National Judicial Council (NJC) over what he described as delays in acting on a petition filed against the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice A.R. Ozoemena, concerning the restriction of the Enugu Economic Survival Summit.
In a statement on Sunday, Iyere said no further communication had been received from the council more than two weeks after it acknowledged receipt of the petition.
Iyere recalled that the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) and Chairman of the NJC, Justice Kudirat M. O. Kekere-Ekun, alongside the council, confirmed receipt of his petition dated December 9, 2025, which challenged the restriction placed on the summit scheduled to hold in Lagos on September 30, 2025.
According to him, in a letter dated January 16, 2026, the NJC acknowledged the petition and assured that the issues raised were being given due consideration. He said this assurance informed his decision to suspend an earlier planned protest by YOTSI and its affiliated civil society organisations.
Iyere explained that the suspension was based on his confidence in the council’s stated commitment to review the matter and apply appropriate institutional discipline where necessary.
However, he expressed concern that more than two weeks after the NJC’s acknowledgement, there had been no further update or indication of progress, prompting his organisation to formally remind the council of the outstanding issues.
While reaffirming YOTSI’s commitment to lawful advocacy and respect for judicial independence, Iyere warned that prolonged silence on matters of public interest could erode public confidence in institutional accountability.
He disclosed that YOTSI and its affiliated civil society groups have now fixed March 2, 2026, for a peaceful protest should there be no response or concrete action from the NJC on or before February 26, 2026.
According to him, the planned protest would seek to draw attention to the issues raised in the petition and underscore the need for transparency, due process and timely institutional response. He added that all actions by the group would remain within the bounds of the law.
“This engagement has always been about allowing institutions to perform their constitutional duties. Our expectation is clarity, accountability and assurance that due process is being followed,” Iyere said.
He reaffirmed YOTSI’s respect for the judiciary and expressed hope that the NJC would address the matter in a manner that strengthens public trust in Nigeria’s justice system.
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