A lot of people can say whatever they like about the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, but no matter what you thought of it, to a greater extent, the judiciary was independent, and their rulings could be trusted.
That was why Chris Ngige of the Peoples Democratic Party PDP, could be removed by Peter Obi of the All Progressives Grand Alliance APGA.
There were other cases in that era, and you’ ll notice little or no interference from the executive.
Even the Amaechi and Omehie case, did not get any interference from the powers in Abuja.
In Imo State, the court gave their verdict on Araraume, which was against Obasanjo’ s wishes.
That was when the judiciary were not members of political parties, and took orders from the executive, or individuals.
The trend seems to have changed for the Supreme Court of today, as many now suspect they have become errand boys for power in Abuja.
The Rt Hon Emeka Ihedioha case, and the subsequent outcomes, seems to have strengthened that belief, that the Nigerian judiciary, most especially the Supreme Court, have either become errand boys to the executive, or their justice have become cash and carry.
Their refusal to hear the Philip Umeadi suit, which has been staring at them since last year, have seemingly strengthened that line of thought, that either the Supreme Court is being controlled by elements in the executive, or money may have changed hands, to make sure the suit is sat on.
But will they keep sitting on this matter forever? For how long will the Supreme Court, be used against the poor and defenseless, who they are supposed ne serve as their last line of defense?
These are questions Nigerians within and outside the country have been asking, since the abracadabra ruling of the Supreme Court that imposed Uzodinma on the people of Imo State.
