By Charles Igbo
It had happened a couple of times. A situation where the Supreme Court either reversed itself after a verdict, or reviewed a case it had earlier decided on.
But it is so rare that only a few Nigerians remember. Even then, it is only those in the legal profession that are just now remembering – and telling us, and trying very hard to convince us that it is doable.
Until now, most Nigerians were unaware that they could go back to the Apex Court to ask it to, literally, go back to its vomit.
The judgement of their Lordships at the Supreme Court was, so we all thought, final. It was like God’s judgement, no appeal. You weep, and gnash your teeth. But that’s where it ends.
But no longer.
Nigerians have wisened up. They have woken up to the fact that the verdict of the Supreme Court Is no longer final. That it could be challenged. That, dis-satisfied, one can ask for a reversal or a review.
Now, the Supreme Court is in trouble. The apex court, grossly lacking in manpower, its Justices, over-worked and groaning under thousands of cases would have no rest. Their Lordships should be rest assured that from now on, a number of their decisions, if not all, especially those that concern politics, will be up for either a reversal or a review.
It sounds uncomfortable, but that will be the case from now on. An abuse of the system is to be expected. Nigerians are abusive copy cats. And, unless Their Lordships put their feet down, this is the beginning of the demystification of the Supreme Court.
How did politicians become this aware?
It is aĺl thanks to the Rt. Honourable Emeka Ihedioha, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Assembly, and the immediate past governor of Imo State.
After about seven months in office as governor, Ihedioha was unanimously removed by a seven- man panel of the Supreme Court Justices, headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Muhammed Tanko. In his place, the candidate of the APC, Senator Hope Uzodinma, was declared the Governor-elect, and has since been sworn-in.
But many days later, and having recovered from the shock of the verdict, Ihedioha and his legal team said they have discovered errors in the Supreme Court Verdict, and so, went back to the Apex Court to ask for a review. The court granted him hearing, listed the case and, has now fixed the review for March 2.
The PDP and the vociferous Ihedioha camp celebrated that, and are very optimistic victory will come back their way.
Since then, the flood gate has opened for political parties and their candidates whose cases the Supreme Court had since disposed off, to head back to it, and ask for a review.
Following the footsteps of the PDP on Imo, the APC has since gone back to the Supreme Court which sacked its governor-elect, NASS-elects and House of Assembly-elects, a couple of days to their inauguration.
Last week, the party also went back, asking for a review of the Bayelsa state verdict which sacked its governorship-elect, David Lyon, less than 24 hours to his inauguration because the deputy-governorship elect forged his educational certificates.
And now, hell has broken lose. Not to be outdone, the PDP, has decided to heap a number of cases on the Supreme Court for a review and or reversals.
Take this seriously, the cases include the request for the sacking of President Muhammadu Buhari. The party says it proved its case of certificate forgery and non qualification against Buhari at The apex court.
The party has also lined-up for review, their verdicts on Governors Aminu Masari, Katsina, Nasir el-Rufai, Kaduna, Abdulahi Ganduje, Kano, and Adegboyega Oyetola, Osun. And the APC is having a good laugh.
The PDP woke up late. The most meritorious case they have is Osun state. Involving Ademola Adeleke, most Nigerians still feel it was a daylight robbery. But the PDP let it ride because of the then finality of any pronouncement from the Supreme Court.
No longer.
Thanks to Ihedioha, the sh.t has hit the fan. His case has woken politicians up. This magazine, also gathers that the APC is dusting its books to go back and ask for reviews of the governorship verdicts in Sokoto and Bauchi and Venue.
There is no longer a hiding place for the Apex Court.
It has become a market place. The sanctity is gone. Its integrity is also at stake. Only Their Lordships can restore their pride, and that of the Court. And save the Judiciary, from a total collapse.
