Use the Ongoing Uzodimma Case to Restore Public Confidence in Courts, CSO Tells Judiciary

A coalition of Nigerian civil society organizations has urged the judiciary to use the case involving Governor Hope Uzodimma to rebuild public confidence in the courts. It cited conflicting accounts of how Uzodimma secured the APC’s Imo West senatorial nomination and recalled the controversial 2020 Supreme Court ruling that made him governor of Imo State over Emeka Ihedioha. The coalition also pointed to Uzodimma’s current legal dispute with former governor Rochas Okorocha, saying earlier Imo election cases damaged the judiciary’s reputation, and cited reports that justices involved in the 2020 ruling were denied U.S. visas. Issued in Bauchi, the statement was signed by representatives of five organizations, including Job Samuel Danfulani and John Samuel Nangi.