Justice Hamma Barka—What Have You Got to Lose?, by John Egbeazien Oshodi

Judiciary in Crisis: Wike’s Alleged Court Panel Dissolution Sparks Outrage and Government Silence – Rivers State’s Fate Hangs in the Balance. Wike is not the de facto Chief Justice of Nigeria, the de facto President of the Court of Appeal, or the de facto leader of this nation.

In a November 23, 2024, Sahara Reporters publication titled “Wike Dissolves FCT Court Panel Amid Political Tensions Over Rivers State LGA Elections,” the Nigerian people and the global community remain in shock over the silence of the Nigerian government. Neither the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, nor the leadership of the Nigerian judiciary, nor President Tinubu’s administration has promptly addressed the veracity of these claims.

Sahara Reporters revealed that Minister Wike allegedly ordered the dissolution of a Special Court of Appeal panel in Abuja, which had previously upheld the Rivers State Local Government elections conducted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s administration. The decision to dissolve the panel, reportedly carried out discreetly, has ignited widespread concerns about judicial independence and political interference in Nigeria.

The secret dissolution of Justice Onyekachi Otisi’s Special Court of Appeal raises an unsettling and painful question: Is the judiciary still the hope of the common man, or has it been consumed by political manipulation? Allegations of involvement by senior judicial officers and political fixers, as reported by TheNigeriaLawyer.com and Sahara Reporters, expose the dangerous depths of political interference in judicial processes. The registrar of the court must respond immediately because silence at this moment is not neutral—it is complicity.

Hello Justice Hamma Barka—The Allocation Belongs to the People, Not the Politicians

Justice Barka, let us confront the stark truth: The Rivers State allocation is not yours to withhold, nor is it Wike’s to control. That money belongs to the people of Rivers State—the workers, the small business owners, the students, the pensioners, the mothers, and fathers who depend on the state government to survive. It is not a weapon for political battles, nor is it a bargaining chip in the war Wike is waging against Governor Fubara.

The people of Rivers State are not pawns. They are not part of this political theater. Yet they are the ones who will suffer if their allocation is denied or delayed. They are the ones whose schools, hospitals, salaries, and infrastructure projects will grind to a halt because of the ambitions of one man. Justice Barka, the Rivers State allocation is not about Wike or Fubara—it is about the people. And you cannot allow yourself to be used to punish the innocent for the power games of the elite.

The Federal Government’s Dangerous Game

Justice Barka, just hours ago, the federal government added another layer to this madness. First, they suggested they would withhold Rivers State’s allocation. Then, almost immediately, they reversed their stance, saying the money would be released. These conflicting messages are not governance—they are games. And they are games played with the lives and dignity of an entire state.

Now you and your panel find yourselves at the epicenter of this chaos. Yes, the pressure is immense. Yes, the stakes are high. But the question remains: Will you allow the judiciary to become a puppet in this sordid spectacle? Or will you stand firm and remind the nation that the judiciary is a sanctuary of fairness, untainted by political influence?

Remember Justice Otisi—Courage in the Face of Pressure

Justice Onyekachi Otisi faced the storm head-on, braving the same relentless pressures, the same veiled threats of retaliation, and the same suffocating political interference that plague Nigeria’s judiciary. Yet, she did not waver. With courage, clarity, and conviction, she ruled that the lower court lacked jurisdiction over Rivers State’s local government elections. She upheld the law and stood unwaveringly for what was right, fully aware of the potential personal and professional cost. And that cost came swiftly—her panel was disbanded, a stark and chilling warning to any judge who dares to challenge the entrenched powers of the political establishment.

In a judiciary where fear runs deep—where judges often hesitate to make impartial rulings for fear of sudden transfers, humiliating reassignments, intimidation, or career-ending frustrations—Justice Otisi stood tall. She ruled with integrity, undeterred by the shadow of consequences. Her declaration that local government elections fell outside the purview of the Electoral Act was not just a legal ruling; it was an act of defiance against a system that too often prioritizes political interests over justice.

Justice Otisi’s ruling was a glimmer of hope in a judiciary increasingly perceived as a tool of political manipulation. Her courage demonstrated that there is still room for integrity, even in a system where impartiality often comes at a high price.

However, her bravery was met with immediate and alleged retaliation. Sources revealed that Minister Wike orchestrated the replacement of her panel with a new team led by Justice Hamah Barka, who had previously recused himself from similar cases due to external pressures. Allegations also surfaced implicating Wike’s wife, a senior judge, in facilitating a judicial restructuring designed to serve his political agenda.

Justice Otisi’s story is a testament to the resilience and strength of a principled judge in an environment riddled with political interference. Her actions echo a challenge to all who sit in judgment: Will you bow to intimidation and compromise, or will you stand firm for justice?

Justice Barka and others in positions of influence must now ask themselves whether they will follow Otisi’s example or yield to the same pressures she resisted. The choice is not just about one case or one ruling—it is about the future of Nigeria’s judiciary and its ability to remain a beacon of hope and fairness for the people.

Justice Barka, you now stand where Otisi once stood. The nation is watching. The world is watching. And history will judge you. Will you act with the same courage, the same integrity, the same commitment to justice? Or will you let fear, intimidation, and political promises dictate your actions?

Justice Barka—What Have You Got to Lose?

Justice Barka, at your age and after decades in the judiciary, what are you afraid of? What can they take from you that is more valuable than your integrity, your legacy, and your peace of mind? Wike is not the Chief Justice of Nigeria. He is not the President of the Court of Appeal. He is not the ruler of this nation. He is a politician—a powerful one, yes—but he is not the law. You are.

The judiciary is the last hope of the common man. But every time a judge bows to political pressure, that hope fades. Every time a ruling is delayed without justification, every time a case is manipulated for political gain, the people lose a little more faith in the system. Justice Barka, do not let that happen on your watch.

The people of Rivers State are crying out for justice. They are crying out for their rights, their dignity, their survival. And they are looking to you. Justice Barka, what will you give them? Hope or despair? Justice or betrayal?

You Cannot Deny the People What is Theirs

Justice Barka, you know the law. The seats of Speaker Martin Amaewhule and 24 others are vacant. Your court acknowledged this. By law, the Rivers State government does not need their approval to access its allocation. You cannot deny the state its rightful funds simply because Wike wants to use the allocation as leverage in his battle against Governor Fubara.

This is not governance—it is extortion. And you cannot allow the judiciary to be a part of it. Justice Barka, act like Otisi. Rise above the noise. Rise above the pressure. Do what is right, not what is easy.

The People Are Watching—And So Is History

Sometimes, the way final judgments or rulings are read by judges appears as though they were prewritten by bad-colluding Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), corrupt registrars, and other complicit actors, handed to judges to rubber-stamp as rulings. Justice Barka, while no one is directly accusing you or your panel of this, do not fall into this evil. The people are not fools. Feel some godliness, some goodness in your heart. What have you got to lose?

The Rivers State allocation is for the people. It is their lifeline. It is not a bargaining chip for politicians or a weapon in a political feud. Justice Barka, at your age and with your years of experience, what have you got to lose? Your legacy, your conscience, and your integrity are on the line. This is your moment to prove that the judiciary is not a tool for political games but a pillar of fairness, justice, and accountability.

Justice Hamma Barka, with almost 70 years behind you and decades of service to the judiciary, you have earned respect and recognition across Nigeria. Your long career reflects dedication and a deep understanding of the law.

But now, the question is not about your past—it is about what you will do in this critical moment. What do you have to lose, sir? At this stage of your life and career, no intimidation, fear, or compromise should dictate your actions. Even if there were moments in the past when external pressures influenced you, this is your chance to rise above them and stand firmly for what is right.

Your legacy is on the line. Will you act with integrity, ensuring your name is remembered with honor, or will you let compromise define the final chapter of your journey? The Nigerian people and the world are watching, expecting you to lead with courage and principle in this defining moment.

Justice Barka, Rise Above the Noise

Justice Barka, rise above the noise. Rise above the pressure. Act with integrity. Act like Justice Otisi, who stood firm for what is right despite immense opposition. Do what is just and fair—not for the politicians, but for the people of Rivers State. Uphold the dignity of the judiciary and protect its role as a pillar of hope and fairness in our society.

This is not just about Rivers State. This is about the judiciary, the soul of the nation, and the trust of the people. Justice Barka, the world is watching, and history will judge your actions. Will you be remembered as a defender of justice, or as a tool for political maneuvering?

Remember Allah, our final judge. In the end, we all answer to Him for our actions, our integrity, and the choices we made when it mattered most. This is your moment. Choose wisely.

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.