Senator Ifeanyi Ubah: The Courts Should Remain A Bastion of Hope For Our Democracy 

There are palpable fears that the temples of justice in Nigeria have been infiltrated by bad eggs at all levels who dish out ridiculous rulings contrary to the rule of law as contained in our constitution and all attendant laws subject to it. This grim reality is more pronounced in electoral rulings some of which have turned the law on its head and have cast aspersions on the noble law profession in Nigeria.

The judiciary is the last hope of the common man is a popular saying in our polity hitherto the present dispensation where Nigerians are increasingly perturbed that the courts are increasingly being compromised and judgement auctioned off to unpatriotic elements who seek to corrupt our learned justices. The ruling by the Federal High Court Bwari headed by Justice Kawu which granted reliefs sought by Dr. Obinna Uzor surreptitiously in less than 7 days notice to the defendant Senator Ifeanyi Ubah thwarts the principles of fair hearing which a defendant is entitled to.

The first attempt to unseat Senator Ubah was made immediately after the election when Anani Chuka, a voter from Ubah’s senatorial district approached the court claiming that Dr. Ifeanyi Ubah’s NECO certificate was forged. Since then NECO has come out to authenticate the certificate issued Senator Ubah, that it was not forged but duly obtained. The details of the confirmation by NECO showed that the certificate submitted tallies with the statement of result NECO has. It is also important to state that INEC has come out to confirm the certificate and also confirmed that it monitored the primaries which was another matter brought before the courts.

Those who know Senator Ifeanyi Ubah’s senatorial district wondered how he was able to defeat the political heavyweights. He did so because the people are on his side. Those who were there did nothing substantial for the constituency. As an illustrious son of his community, the people trusted their mandate to him, because even as a citizen he has been a strong pillar of support to Nigerian economy and the less privileged. However, these desperate politicians are now bent on approaching the courts with frivolous applications and joiners seeking to oust the duly elected Senator by clandestine means. 

The nagging question remains: why was the honorable court in a hurry to hear the application joined by Dr. Obinna Uzor without giving the defendant the minimum of 7 days required to file a counter affidavit? The same Obinna Uzor according this reports brought photoshopped Ubah’s result in other to mislead the court; a criminal offence. No wonder, he is now on the run! Where is our Judiciary? Where are our incorruptible judges? Have we lost it all?

The manner in which an election matter was filed in Abuja away from subsisting election litigation and appeal which was already ongoing is a matter for judicial experts to determine its locus standi. As Senator Ifeanyi Ubah declared, that antics of Uzor is “mere distraction”. Ubah has pleaded with the court of appeal to pronounce as nullity the pre-election matter on which he was sacked which was heard outside the jurisdiction of Anambra State election matters.

In the words of Robert Kennedy, “the glory of justice and the majesty of law are created not just by the Constitution — nor by the courts — nor by the officers of the law — nor by the lawyers — but by the men and women who constitute our society — who are the protectors of the law as they are themselves protected by the law.” This is a call on Hon Justice. Bello Kawu not to allow politicians to soil his good name and twist the hands of lady justice.

Senator Ubah is a distinguished son of his Senatorial district who has contributed immensely to the development and progress of his community, his state and Nigeria in general which was the motivation for his people to give him their mandate. Any attempt to use the courts to thwart the mandate of the people is unwholesome, reprehensible and ethically bankrupt. The appeal court should set aside the judgement of the lower court and declare Senator Ifeanyi Ubah of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) the duly elected senator who polled 87, 081 votes to emerge winner of the Anambra South Senatorial District.

David Obinna

Software Engineer (Remote)

Current Location: Lagos, Nigeria