Frank Accuses Buhari, APC Government of Harassing Judges to Secure Favourable Judgments

Political activist and former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has accused President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration and the leadership of the ruling party of intimidating and blackmailing members of the judiciary in an attempt to secure favourable court decisions.

Frank, however, expressed confidence in the Supreme Court, describing it as an institution that Nigerians could still rely on as the last hope of the common man.

He made the allegations in a statement issued in Abuja while reacting to a Court of Appeal ruling that denied the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, access to inspect an alleged server of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in connection with the 2019 presidential election.

Frank alleged that the Buhari administration was using security agencies to intimidate some judges and influence judicial decisions.

To support his concerns, he referred to remarks attributed to then President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Paul Usoro, SAN, who had warned about threats, intimidation and blackmail against judges by officials of the executive arm of government.

Usoro had argued that judicial independence could not flourish where judges operated under fear or pressure and stressed that security of tenure and freedom from interference were essential to the administration of justice.

Frank claimed that the Court of Appeal decision relating to Atiku’s request to inspect the disputed server followed what he described as a predetermined political script, although he provided no independent evidence to establish the allegation.

He nevertheless said he remained hopeful that the Supreme Court would determine any eventual appeal strictly on the evidence and applicable law.

Frank also referred to observations made by domestic and international election monitoring organisations, including the European Union, National Democratic Institute and International Republican Institute, which he said should form part of the broader consideration of the 2019 electoral process.

He further alleged that Buhari’s administration was planning to appoint additional Supreme Court justices who could later participate in determining appeals arising from the presidential election dispute.

The former APC official did not provide evidence establishing that any proposed judicial appointments were intended to influence the election litigation.

Frank urged judges to resist political pressure and remain conscious of their responsibility to uphold justice irrespective of the government or political interests involved.

He warned that judicial officers who compromised their independence for political considerations could ultimately damage public confidence in the justice system.

The activist also maintained his support for Atiku’s challenge to the presidential election result, arguing that many Nigerians were dissatisfied with the country’s security and economic conditions.

He called on political leaders, opposition figures, human rights activists and members of the legal profession to speak against any actions they believed threatened judicial independence.

Frank insisted that the credibility of Nigeria’s democracy depended heavily on an independent judiciary capable of deciding politically sensitive cases without intimidation, interference or favour.