The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of presiding over what it describes as the early stages of authoritarian rule, claiming that the executive arm has effectively taken control of both the judiciary and the legislature.
In a scathing statement released in Abuja on Sunday, the group said Nigeria is “on the brink of democratic annihilation,” alleging that judicial independence has collapsed under the leadership of Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, while the National Assembly has become “an extension of the Presidency’s political machinery.”
HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, stated:
“The Nigerian judiciary under the current CJN has been reduced to a timid, corrupt, and compromised shadow of itself, incapable of delivering justice in any matter that affects President Tinubu or his political cronies.”
The association further alleged that the National Judicial Council (NJC) has transformed into “a polluted sanctuary of inefficiency and poor governance,” with its leadership aligned firmly with the President and the All Progressives Congress (APC).
As an example, HURIWA pointed to Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike, who it claimed has repeatedly secured favourable court rulings through “suspected insider compromises, unethical collusion, and abuse of judicial influence” across the Federal High Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court.
The group also condemned the Supreme Court’s refusal to schedule a hearing for the case challenging the “illegal and unconstitutional” suspension of the Rivers State governor, saying the governor withdrew his challenge because he knew the courts, already “captured” by the executive, would not deliver justice.
HURIWA cited several post-2023 judicial decisions it claims have worsened public distrust in the system.
These include the Plateau State governorship dispute, in which the Court of Appeal nullified PDP Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s victory in a move widely criticised for flouting precedent, before the Supreme Court reversed the ruling, and the Kano governorship case, where rulings allegedly shifted due to political bargaining rather than legal principles.
The group also referenced the Presidential Election Petitions Tribunal, saying it upheld Tinubu’s election despite “glaring irregularities” raised by petitioners, and alleged that the outcome was predetermined through high-level compromises.
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“Since the 2023 elections, the Appeal Court and Supreme Court have been associated with a series of alleged bribery-driven verdicts in politically sensitive cases, particularly those involving top executive officeholders,” HURIWA said. “These are judicial robberies disguised in legal robes.”
Quoting human rights advocate Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, the group described Nigeria’s judiciary as a “bazaar of justice” where verdicts can be bought. It accused the CJN of violating the constitution and the judicial code of conduct by failing to punish corrupt judges.
HURIWA also recalled allegations that Justice Kekere-Ekun was barred from entering the United States due to her role in the controversial 2020 Supreme Court ruling that made Senator Hope Uzodinma governor of Imo State from fourth place, a decision widely condemned as a “crooked judicial coup.”
On the legislature, HURIWA accused the 10th National Assembly of openly surrendering to the Presidency, citing Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s statement, “I was not elected to fight Tinubu,” as proof of misplaced loyalty.
It alleged that Tinubu engineered the election of Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas through political deals, inducements, and intimidation, creating a legislature that rubber-stamps presidential requests without scrutiny or debate.
The association also alleged that opposition lawmakers and governors are defecting to the APC under threats of corruption probes or financial inducements, saying such moves violate the constitutional mandate for legislative independence under Section 4.
Describing these developments as “classic signs of state capture,” HURIWA warned that unchecked concentration of power could lead to “the death of Nigerian democracy.”
“If this descent into one-man rule is not halted, Nigeria will wake up to find its democracy dead and buried.
“The people, robbed of justice and representation, may resort to stoning corrupt judges and repudiating a political class that survives only on bribery and judicial manipulation,” the group warned.
The group called for immediate reforms, including purging the NJC, disciplining compromised judges, restoring genuine separation of powers, and imposing international travel bans on officials who undermine democratic governance.
“Every day this executive grip on the judiciary and legislature remains unchallenged brings the country closer to full-blown tyranny,” the statement concluded.