The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) has voiced strong concerns over a recent Federal High Court ruling that prevents the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and other financial institutions from disbursing monthly allocations to the Rivers State Government. In a statement by CISLAC’s Executive Director, Comrade Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, the organization warned that such judicial actions could destabilize Nigeria’s democratic system and undermine public trust in the judiciary.
Rafsanjani emphasized the potential impact of this ruling, stating, “Judicial decisions that appear to cater to selective interests threaten Nigeria’s rule of law and democratic principles.” He noted that state governments, under elected leadership, are constitutionally responsible for managing resources to benefit citizens. Blocking allocations, Rafsanjani argued, challenges this autonomy and sets a dangerous precedent that could disrupt peace and stability.
The CISLAC statement further raised concerns about the perceived erosion of judicial integrity in Nigeria, referencing recent controversial judgments in Kano and Rivers. Rafsanjani urged judicial officers to remember the global accountability measures, like those of Transparency International and the World Justice Project, which assess judiciary standards worldwide. “Disrupting constitutional allocations harms Nigeria’s standing internationally and discourages investment by weakening investor confidence in the judiciary,” he said.
CISLAC called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria to safeguard judicial standards and discourage rulings that could destabilize Nigeria’s democratic and economic foundations. “We urge the judiciary to uphold democratic values and ensure that decisions align with the constitution and reflect the people’s will,” Rafsanjani stated, emphasizing that stability and unity must remain central to governance in Nigeria.
Concluding, CISLAC called for cooperation among the judiciary, executive, and other stakeholders to prioritize the welfare and stability of Nigeria.