The Grassroots Mobilization Network GMN, an ADC support group, has backed a petition against Justice Peter Lifu and called on him to recuse himself from the case involving ADC and Nafiu Bala. The matter is listed for hearing on Wednesday (today).
The suit was previously before Justice Emeka Nwite before reassignment to Justice Lifu.
GMN spokesperson, Mr. Peter Emeka, told reporters Tuesday that the group has no confidence in Justice Lifu’s ability to deliver a fair judgment. He described the reassignment as a setback to opposition politics and said it amounts to a clog against opposition parties.
“We are asking Justice Lifu to recuse himself from this case and allow another judge to take over,” Mr. Emeka said.
“The judiciary must remain impartial at all times. Opposition parties must be allowed to organize and contest without undue interference.”
Mr. Emeka accused President Bola Tinubu and the judiciary of trying to foist a one party system on the country and alleged that they don’t want anyone on the ballot except some few inconsequential political contractors.
He further claimed that the troika of Justice Peter Lifu, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik and Justice Omotosho are willing judges always ready to be used against opposition parties in the country by the ruling party.
According to him, the ruling party APC has procured Appeal Justices to handle the National Democratic Congress, NDC case that is yet to be brought before the court, latest by July.
Mr. Emeka also said the Federal High Court is in clear disobedience of Supreme Court orders on the ADC.
He called on all opposition parties to come together and work to stop the one party system.
Petitions against judicial officers and applications for recusal are governed by the National Judicial Council NJC rules and court procedures. The case is scheduled for hearing on Wednesday before Justice Peter Lifu.
