Judicial Autonomy At Risk? SERAP Presses Tinubu To Block Governors Gifts To Judges

Judicial Autonomy At Risk? SERAP Presses Tinubu To Block Governors Gifts To Judges

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to stop Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike and the 36 state governors from providing vehicles and housing...CONTINUE READING…

to judges, a move SERAP argues violates the independence of the judiciary and undermines constitutional principles. SERAP claims these actions encroach on the authority of the National Judicial Council (NJC) and create an appearance of judicial subservience to the executive.

In an open letter dated November 9, 2024, signed by SERAP’s Deputy Director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organization stressed the importance of an independent judiciary free from executive influence, arguing that such gifts compromise judicial autonomy and violate the separation of powers. SERAP also urged Tinubu to direct Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to legally challenge these practices.

The letter, also shared with the UN Special Rapporteur on the Independence of Judges and Lawyers, emphasized that weakening the separation of powers undermines the judiciary’s role as a check on the executive branch. SERAP further called on Tinubu to constitutionally improve funding for the judiciary to ensure adequate working conditions and judicial independence without executive interference.

The group warned that it would consider legal action if there is no government response within seven days, citing constitutional provisions mandating judiciary funds to be allocated directly to court heads. They also referenced former President Muhammadu Buhari’s Executive Order No. 10 of 2020, which reinforced state judiciary financial autonomy.