Will Justice Egwuatu Hold the Line Against Akpabio and the Architects of Impunity? -By John Egbeazien Oshodi

Justice Obiora Egwuatu, you stand at the crossroads of truth and oppression, where the path of integrity is littered with peril, and the forces of darkness conspire to consume the judiciary. In a system where justice is often for sale and courage is met with silent threats, you have chosen the road that few dare to walk. This is not just about legal rulings—it is about standing against a tidal wave of intimidation, manipulation, and defiance from those who believe they are untouchable. You are now a guardian of justice, but you are also a target. And the question remains—will you hold your ground?

The Nigerian judiciary has long been a battleground, not just of laws and legal precedents, but of power struggles, coercion, and quiet wars fought in the shadows. Judges like you, who choose to uphold fairness over favoritism, are not just making legal decisions—they are resisting a machinery designed to break them. The pressure you and your colleagues face is not ordinary; it is systemic, deliberate, and often ruthless. This is the fight of a lifetime—not just for your career, but for the very soul of the judiciary.

I cannot say you are an angel, but your history of doing what is right in human rights and civil liberties-related cases is known. You have consistently ruled in favor of the fundamental freedoms that many judges have feared to uphold. That reputation is what makes you dangerous to the system that thrives on injustice. And that is why they will come for you.

The Case Before You: The Judiciary Under Siege

Justice Egwuatu, let’s call this what it is—a test of your resolve, a blatant assault on the judiciary, a power-drunk Senate spitting in the face of the law. This is not about Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan alone. This is about whether the judiciary still has a backbone or whether it has become nothing more than a ceremonial rubber stamp for the powerful. The Senate, under the iron grip of Godswill Akpabio, is making a mockery of the courts, treating judicial rulings as nothing more than irritating suggestions. They dare to call their corruption “internal affairs”—but theft, lawlessness, and raw abuse of power do not become legitimate simply because they happen behind the Senate’s closed doors.

First, your court, sitting in Abuja, issued an order restraining these so-called lawmakers from proceeding with disciplinary actions against Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. You were clear. You were explicit. They were told to wait. But what did they do? They laughed in your face and carried on. The arrogance, the contempt, the open middle finger to the judiciary—this is what you are up against.

Now, Akpabio and his well-fed legal puppets, led by Kehinde Ogunwumiju (SAN), have crawled into court, not to argue the facts, not to respect the process, but to insult the judiciary further. They claim the court has “no jurisdiction” to interfere in Senate matters. No jurisdiction? Since when did the Senate become a law unto itself? Since when did court orders become optional suggestions? This is not a legal argument—it is an open declaration of war on the judiciary. They obey the law when it serves them, and they discard it when it threatens their power.

Justice Egwuatu, they are watching you. They are waiting to see if you will cower like so many before you or if you will stand firm. This is about power versus justice, arrogance versus accountability, corruption versus the Constitution. Will you allow them to win?

In a recent development, you have made another decisive move. On March 10, 2025, you ordered Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Senator Neda Imasuen, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Code of Conduct, to file their defense in the suit filed by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The court confirmed that all processes in the suit had been duly served on the defendants. This ruling reaffirms that no individual or institution is above the law, even in the face of the Senate’s blatant disregard for judicial authority. But will they obey, or will they continue to spit in the face of the judiciary?

A Contemptuous Disregard for the Judiciary

Now, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has taken an even stronger stance. She has filed contempt charges against Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Clerk of the National Assembly, and Senator Neda Imasuen for defying the March 4 court order. In her contempt charge, she argues that her suspension constitutes willful disobedience to a binding judicial directive, stating that the defendants had full knowledge of the court order yet chose to undermine it. This is no longer just about a suspension—it is about the very essence of the rule of law.

The court, in a formal notice of disobedience issued pursuant to Section 72 of the Sheriff and Civil Process Act 2004, has now warned Akpabio, Imasuen, and the Clerk of the National Assembly that their actions render them liable for contempt, an offense that could lead to imprisonment. This is now a battle between the law and those who think they are above it.

They Wish They Could Strip You of This Case

Justice Egwuatu, understand this: they wish they could rip this case from your hands. They wish they could bury it in the chambers of those who have long mastered the art of turning justice into a transaction, those whose gavels fall not with the weight of the law but with the whispers of power.

For years, politically charged cases have been funneled into the hands of judges whose rulings can be anticipated before a single argument is made. Cases that threaten the powerful are quickly redirected, handled by those who have perfected the craft of bending the law into a shield for the elite. But this time, they cannot move it. This time, the case has landed in the hands of a judge they do not control.

And that terrifies them.

You are not one of the Abuja Standing Judges. You are not a name whispered in the corridors of influence, where verdicts are arranged before trials begin. You are not the kind of judge who rules first and justifies later. And that makes you dangerous.

And in Nigeria’s corridors of power, danger must be neutralized.

They will not rest. They will not relent. They will come for you in ways seen and unseen. They will not just try to move this case—they will try to move you. Out of their way. Out of relevance. Out of existence in the judicial landscape where they pull the strings.

But the question remains: Will you stand? Or will you be broken like so many before you?

The Battle Will Get Worse

As you now preside over this contempt matter, be prepared. The pressure will intensify. Calls will come from all kinds of places—powerful political figures, senior advocates of Nigeria (SANs), former judges, traditional rulers, and even distant family members. They will attempt to sway you. Some will offer enticements—future appointments, promotions, wealth. Others will come with veiled threats—career stagnation, transfer to remote courts, or whispers of repercussions. The intimidation will be subtle at first, then grow bolder. But the law is your anchor.

Nigeria has seen cases where presidential influence halted trials in their tracks, be it involving high-profile financial crimes, corporate interests like Binance, or politically connected juveniles. Do not be surprised if similar tactics are deployed against you. If they come, remember: justice is not about serving men—it is about serving the law.

Justice Must Prevail: No Man is Above the Law

Justice Egwuatu, now is the moment to show them that the law is not a pawn in their political games, that judicial authority is not a mere formality to be ignored at will. You have already ruled with clarity—any action taken against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan during this case is null, void, and of no effect whatsoever. Yet, they have chosen to test the strength of the judiciary by defying your order. Now, show them the weight of justice. Their arrogance cannot be allowed to overshadow the supremacy of the Constitution.

A Reckoning for the Senate: The Court’s Voice Must Be Heard

The Nigerian Senate, under the leadership of those who see themselves as untouchable, has trampled on the authority of the court. They have mocked the very institution that should hold them accountable. But justice does not yield to power; power must bow before justice. Now is the time to make them feel the gravity of their defiance. Order Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s reinstatement. Let it be clear that no President of the Senate, no committee, no legislative assembly can override the Constitution or the judiciary. This is not just about one senator—it is about whether the courts of Nigeria still have the strength to command respect and obedience.

She Knew the Game Was Rigged, But She Refused to Be Silent

She already had this case before you, Justice Egwuatu. She does not doubt your integrity, but she knows the brutal realities of a nation where the law bends to serve the powerful. It is not that she lacks faith in you—it is that she has witnessed, firsthand, how justice in Nigeria is not decided in courtrooms, but in the corridors of unchecked power.

“Go to Court”—The Code for Injustice

She knew what was coming. She knew that in Nigeria, the phrase “Go to court” is not a promise of justice. It is a coded message of doom. A declaration that the system is rigged. A warning that the victim will soon become the accused. She knew that the machinery of suppression would move swiftly, grinding her beneath its weight, crushing her under the arrogance of men who believe they own the law.

Taking the Fight Beyond the Courtroom

And so, she did not just remain in the courtroom—she took her fight beyond it. She carried the weight of sexual harassment, corruption, abuse of power, and the systemic suppression of women and girls to a global stage. She stood before the United Nations, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, and the world itself—not as a woman seeking personal vindication, but as a warrior demanding justice for all women silenced, humiliated, and erased by the same system that tried to bury her.

Now the World Is Watching

Her voice now echoes beyond Nigeria. Her defiance is no longer just hers—it has become a global reckoning. What was once a battle fought within the Senate chambers and the courtrooms of Abuja is now an indictment of an entire system that preys on the powerless and protects the guilty.

She has exposed the rot, the cruelty, the arrogance of those who thought they could erase her. And now, the world is watching. The question is—will justice finally rise, or will the forces of oppression win once again?

Prove Her and Nigerians Wrong—Show Them You Are Different

Justice Egwuatu, now is your moment. This is not just another legal battle—it is a test of whether Nigeria still has judges who stand for truth, whether the judiciary still has a spine, and whether the courts are mere ceremonial chambers or the last true defenders of justice.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan did not take her fight global because she lacked faith in you as a judge. She did so because she has seen the system bend, break, and collapse under the weight of political interference, impunity, and unchecked power. She knows what many Nigerians believe—that justice in this country often serves the highest bidder, that verdicts are mere formalities to justify the will of the powerful.

But now, you have the chance to prove them wrong. Show them that you are not just another name on the judiciary’s long list of compromised men. Show them that your court is a court of law, not a playground for power. Show them that a court order is not a piece of paper to be disregarded, ignored, or spat upon by those who think they own Nigeria.

How Does One Simply Ignore a Court Order?

This is the question that must shake the conscience of every Nigerian. How do individuals who swore oaths to uphold the Constitution, who are members of the bar, who are lawmakers—leaders of the legislature—blatantly ignore a court order as if it were nothing?

How does a Senate President, who calls himself a lawyer, pretend that the judiciary does not exist when it suits his political interests? How does a Chairman of the Ethics Committee, whose duty is to uphold justice within the legislature, trample on the very justice system he claims to serve? How do senior lawyers, sworn officers of the court, stand in defiance of a judge’s ruling simply because they feel untouchable

Even in autocratic states, courts are respected in pretense. But in Nigeria, they did not even bother with pretense. They looked at your ruling, Justice Egwuatu, and laughed. They dismissed your words as if they carried no weight. They spat on your authority, and in doing so, spat on the judiciary itself.

This Is Your Defining Moment—Will You Let Them Get Away With It?

Justice Egwuatu, if they get away with this, what next? If today they ignore your order and nothing happens, tomorrow they will declare court rulings meaningless. And the next day, they will erase the courts altogether.

You must make them feel the weight of their defiance. You must remind them that no Senate President, no legislative chamber, no so-called powerful man is greater than the law.

This is your moment to show that the judiciary is not dead, that Nigerian courts are not weak, that the law still stands above power. Prove Natasha wrong. Prove Nigerians wrong. Prove that you are different. Because if you do not, you will not just be letting one senator down—you will be surrendering the judiciary itself to the hands of impunity.

For God’s Sake, Stand for Justice—Not for Power

Justice Egwuatu, for God’s sake, you know exactly what you are up against. You are not just ruling against a senator—you are ruling against the Senate President. A man who is not only the head of the legislative arm but the eye of the President himself.

And we understand the weight of such dynamics. In Nigeria, the relationship between the executive and the judiciary has often been marked by unseen influences—subtle pressures, quiet maneuvers, and strategic interventions that shift the scales of justice. History has shown that when the stakes are high, the lines of separation between these arms of government blur, sometimes in ways that compromise the very foundation of judicial independence. It has happened before, both in the open and behind closed doors, and there are those who will seek to ensure it happens again.

They will come at you with pressure, coercion, threats, and influence. They will remind you—explicitly or implicitly—that you are standing against a force that can determine your future. They will remind you that, should you choose to defy them, you will pay for it, in ways subtle or severe.

But tell yourself NO. Tell yourself that no amount of intimidation, no promise of reward, no threat of consequence is worth selling your soul. Tell yourself that power is fleeting, but justice is eternal.

Fight for justice, not for power. Stand for what is right, not for what is safe. Because if you do not, then who will?

History Watches, and It Will Remember

Justice Egwuatu, this is your defining moment. You are no longer just a judge; you are a symbol. You are standing at the edge of history, where few dare to stand. This is no longer just about a ruling—it is about whether Nigeria’s judiciary will bow or rise.

The enemies of justice will continue their work—they will scheme, they will bribe, they will threaten. But they cannot erase the impact of your stand.

And so, to the other judges of Nigeria: The nation is watching. The people are waiting. Will you stand, or will you submit?

Justice is not just about the cases you decide—it is about the legacy you leave.

Justice Obiora Egwuatu, history is calling. Will you rise, or will you fall?

John Egbeazien Oshodi

Oshodi Open Door, also known as Oshodi Open Door Public Training (OOPDT, pronounced opidt), is a public awareness initiative promoting transparency, accountability, and integrity in Africa through educational articles and resources at jos5930458@aol.com, and offers specialized Timely Response Solutions (TRS) training at minimal or no cost.

Professor John Egbeazien Oshodi is an American psychologist, educator, author specializing in forensic clinical psychology, cross-cultural psychology, police prison science, social justice. Born in Uromi, Edo State, Nigeria, he is the son of a 37-year veteran of the Nigeria Police Force, a background that shaped his commitment to justice, security, psychological research.

A modernizer in forensic psychology, he introduced state-of-the-art forensic psychology to Nigeria in 2011 through the National Universities Commission (NUC) Nasarawa State University, where he served as an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology. His contributions extend beyond academia into psychological health behavioral change initiatives through the Oshodi Foundation the Center for Psychological Forensic Services.

Professor Oshodi has held faculty positions at Florida Memorial University, Florida International University, Broward College, Nova Southeastern University, Lynn University. He is also a contributing faculty member in the doctoral undergraduate psychology programs at Walden University serves as a virtual professor with Weldios University and Iscom University.

Beyond academia, he is a government consultant for forensic-clinical psychological services in the USA previously served as Interim Associate Dean Assistant Professor at Broward College, Florida.

He has published extensively on mental health, justice, institutional reform is the founder of the Psychoafricalysis theory, which integrates African sociocultural perspectives into psychology.

Professor Oshodi remains an influential force in advancing psychology institutional reform globally, particularly in Africa.