Retiring Supreme Court Justice, Dattijo Muhammad, has raised concerns over the formation of the presidential election appeal panel, describing it as a threat to Nigerian democracy.
Justice Muhammad, who retired upon reaching the statutory retirement age of 70, voiced his apprehensions during a valedictory session held in his honor at the Supreme Court complex in Abuja, and expressed criticism not only for the perceived “absolute powers” of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) but also for the composition of the panel responsible for affirming President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s election.
He specifically highlighted the issue of the South-East (S/E) region’s exclusion from the presidential election appeal panel.
According to Justice Muhammad, the CJN has consistently held an over-concentration of oversight and administrative powers across the nation’s judiciary, which, in his view, is detrimental to the country’s democracy.
Justice Muhammad’s criticism also extended to the seven-member panel led by Justice John Inyang Okoro, which upheld Tinubu’s election victory in the 2023 general election.
He pointed out that of the six regions in Nigeria, only the South-South, North-West, and North-East were represented on the panel.
“To ensure justice and transparency in presidential appeals from the lower court, all geo-political zones are required to participate in the hearing. It is, therefore, dangerous for democracy and equity for two entire regions to be left out in the decisions that will affect the generality of Nigerians,” Justice Muhammad emphasized.
It is worth noting that the current CJN, Olukayode Ariwoola, was not part of the Supreme Court panel that confirmed President Tinubu’s election victory, but solely constituted the panel.
Recall that on Thursday, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeals filed by the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, and Peter Obi of the Labour Party (LP), challenging Tinubu’s victory in the February 25 election.
