Nigeria Opposition Lawmakers Coalition Raises alarm over Plot to return Rivers case to a special panel

The Opposition Lawmakers Coalition in Nigeria has raised alarm over alleged plot by Justice Barka PJ Appeal Court Division to return back to preside over a matter by the Pro Wike group already transferred to a special panel.

Recall that Rivers State Government last month appealed the Federal High Court, Abuja’s judgment which restrained the Central Bank of Nigeria from further releasing allocations from the federation account to the state.

Ruling on the matter is set for today.

However, the opposition Coalition in a statement by its spokesperson, Hon Ikenga Ugochinyere, stated that they have credible intelligence and evidence that Justice Barka will preside over the session today.

According to him, Barka had earlier in open court recused himself from Appeals involving Rivers State., wondering why he has all of a sudden decided to preside the matter now.

Ugochinyere said, “A special panel was constituted to hear appeals concerning Rivers State. The below appeals came before the special panel last Thursday, 14th November 2024, and were adjourned to tomorrow for hearing. Also, the APC defection case was adjourned to 24th January 2025. After today’s judgment by the Special Panel, under intense pressure from Wike, the Special Panel has been disbanded by the President of the Court of Appeal.

“CA/1277/2024, CA/1303/2024, CA/1293/2024, CA/ABJ/1287/2024….All this cases has now been consolidated into this – CA/1196/2024. Hon Justice Barka, Hon Justice Bonjoko, Hon Justice Obiora.”

The Lawmakers called on the National Judicial Council, NJC to him to order, adding that any judgement in favour of seizing the Rivers State allocation is an unenforceable height of judicial rascality, invitation to anarchy.

“Justice Barka had earlier in open court recused himself from Appeals involving Rivers State., we wonder why he has all of a sudden decided to preside the matter now? There can only be one reason. We are calling on the National Judicial Council, NJC to him to order, adding that any judgement in favour of seizing the Rivers State allocation is an unenforceable height of judicial rascality, invitation to anarchy.”