Justice Barka, Nigerians Could Be Suspicious of Your Legal Face, But Prove Them Wrong with a Final Objective Face, by John Egbeazien Oshodi

Justice Barka, Nigerians Could Be Suspicious of Your Legal Face, But Prove Them Wrong with a Final Objective Face with No Fear or Favour – Judiciary Editor Davidson Iriekpen Painfully Asks, What Is Going On? We Are Not Blind 

As the Court of Appeal prepares to deliver its judgment on the deep-seated political crisis in Rivers State, the entire nation waits with anxious expectation. The Special Court of Appeal Panel, charged with resolving the complex legal disputes stemming from this crisis, has concluded hearings and reserved its judgments. Presiding Justice Hamma Barka, already under intense scrutiny, faces growing suspicion to deliver a ruling that will be perceived as objective, fair, and uncompromised by political interference.

At the core of this crisis lies the defection of 27 members of the Rivers State House of Assembly from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). This unprecedented shift fueled political turmoil, constitutional questions, and a flood of lawsuits that have gripped the state in legislative chaos. Despite President Bola Tinubu’s peace initiative, Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Martin Amaewhule faction have only added to the tensions, with allegations of ambush tactics and selective legal withdrawals further complicating the already volatile situation.

The fallout from these political machinations came to a head when the Edison Ehie-led faction declared the defectors’ seats vacant and pushed for fresh elections. This sparked further legal battles, including Justice James Omotosho’s January ruling that nullified the Rivers State 2024 budget on constitutional grounds, citing an improper legislative process. Adding to the chaos, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik’s October ruling halted monthly federal allocations to Rivers State, citing alleged violations of constitutional budget protocols. These judgments not only worsened the political climate but also crippled the state financially, leaving Nigerians questioning whether the judiciary was operating in good faith.

Judiciary Under Fire: Trust Eroding Fast

The judiciary’s role has come under the harshest spotlight yet. Justice Hamma Barka, previously recusing himself from a Rivers State-related panel due to external pressures and accusations of bias, now presides over all five consolidated appeals. This reappointment has fueled accusations of judicial manipulation. Many Nigerians see this as evidence of political maneuvering within the judiciary, a body increasingly seen as prioritizing strategic delays over definitive rulings.

Justice Barka, Nigerians are worried about your legal face. You have shown troubling signs before, but this time, sir, you have the opportunity to say no. This psychologist believes that you must tell the powerful, “I cannot take allocation from a whole oil-producing state. The Accountant-General under Tinubu tried it while my panel was deliberating, but under public pressure, they reversed and said the allocation must be released. So, Wike, you and your powerful allies, get off me!”

Justice Barka, this is the moment for you to stand and do what is right. Tell them, “No! I cannot send the allocation to Wike’s side, whose members have lost their seats. No! I cannot compromise justice. Let me die under Lady Justice rather than betray her!”

We in the Judiciary Know the Truth

We in the judiciary know the truth: 27 defected lawmakers abandoned their legislative responsibilities, and only the four remaining legislators, no matter how small, are the constitutionally recognized legislators in Rivers State. Good God, where is the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)? INEC, step up and save us! Go and conduct elections for the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Justice Barka, you and your panel are already caught in this chaotic web. The allocations have already been released under public pressure, and you cannot now turn around and halt them again. The Supreme Court knows the truth. This case, should it ever reach their bench, will reflect either our collective failure to stand with justice or our boldness to defy the powerful and uphold what is right. Justice Barka, this is your chance to align with Lady Justice and not with those who seek to manipulate her scales.

A Darker Backdrop of Mistrust

The situation has only grown worse since the reserved judgment in July. Rivers State’s political and legislative chaos underscores the devastating consequences of judicial ambiguity and inconsistency. The Federal Government initially appeared to halt allocations to Rivers State, citing Abdulmalik’s ruling, but later claimed disbursements were ongoing after an appeal was filed. This blatant inconsistency has only deepened public mistrust. Nigerians are left asking: What is the truth? Why the games?

On November 22, 2024, Justice Hamma Barka announced that judgment would be reserved and communicated at a later date to the parties involved. However, since then, there has been complete silence. Justice Barka, I make no attempt to suspect you, but no matter what, we must hear from you. Nigerians deserve clarity, not further delays that fuel speculation and deepen the already widespread suspicion surrounding the judiciary’s role in this escalating crisis.

Iriekpen Speaks Out: “Where Is the Decision?”

Thank goodness, just hours ago, Thisday Judiciary Editor Davidson Iriekpen tearfully broke the silence, echoing the frustration of millions: “Where is the decision? Where is it?” For far too long, the powerful have played on Nigerians’ fears and their “life-goes-on” mentality. They know the public is aware of the November 22 reservation, but they count on calculated games, hoping Nigerians will move on. Justice Barka, do not allow this cycle to continue.

Adding to this cloud of uncertainty are remarks reportedly made by Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, who once allegedly boasted of having the judiciary in his pocket. Justice Barka, old man, for God’s sake, prove him wrong. Do not allow these coming days of silence to leave Nigerians feeling as if something is being cooked—whether through pressure, intimidation, promises, or other manipulations. Not this time.

Justice Barka, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), and the President of the Court of Appeal must understand that the spirit of Rivers State and millions of Nigerians cannot be beaten. Nigerians are watching closely, unwilling to accept anything less than fearless and impartial justice. The judiciary’s failure to act decisively and transparently in this critical moment will forever tarnish its credibility and deepen the fractures in Nigeria’s fragile democracy.

Nigerians Are Ready—No More Silence

Justice Barka and his panel must understand that Nigerians are not stupid. They see through the delays, the calculated silences, and the strategic disbanding of panels to suit political interests. This case is not just about Rivers State but the credibility of Nigeria’s entire judicial system. Every reserved judgment, every inconsistent ruling, and every opaque decision chips away at public confidence in the judiciary’s ability to deliver impartial justice.

Justice Barka, the time for games and delays is over. Nigerians demand transparency, accountability, and fearless integrity. This is your defining moment. The people are watching, not with hope but with skepticism, ready to expose any perceived betrayal of judicial principles. Anything less than a clear and objective ruling will confirm what many already suspect: that the judiciary has become a tool for political manipulation, prioritizing appeasement over justice.

The judiciary’s failure to act decisively in Rivers State is not just a betrayal of the constitution but an insult to every Nigerian who still believes in the rule of law. Justice Barka, Nigerians painfully ask: What is going on? Prove them wrong. Show them that the judiciary can rise above suspicion and deliver fearless, impartial justice. Anything less will forever tarnish your legacy and deepen the cracks in Nigeria’s fragile democracy.

Professor John Egbeazien Oshodi, born in Uromi, Edo State, Nigeria, is an American-based police and prison scientist, forensic/clinical psychologist, public policy psychologist, and legal psychologist. He’s a government advisor on forensic-clinical psychological services in the USA and the founder of the Dr. John Egbeazien Oshodi Foundation for Psychological Health. With a significant role in introducing forensic psychology to Nigeria through N.U.C. and Nasarawa State University, he’s also a former Secretary-General of the Nigeria Psychological Association. He’s taught at esteemed institutions like Florida Memorial University, Florida International University, Nova Southeastern University, and more, and is currently an online faculty member at ISCOM University,  Weldios University and Walden University.