By Davies Iheamnachor

PORT HARCOURT: Joint Action for Democracy, JAD, has urged Nigerians to demand accountability from the judiciary in order to ensure that they remain independent and maintain its stance as the last hope of the common man.

The National Coordinator of Joint Action for Democracy- JAD, Peter Ameh, in a statement in Port Harcourt, said Nigerians are losing trust in the judiciary, especially with the recent judgements on the political crisis in Rivers States.

Amen, who expressed regrets over contradicting judgements on the crisis in the State claimed that the 27 Rivers lawmakers led by Hon. Martin Amaewhule, defected to the All Progressives Congress, adding that there is overwhelming evidence to the claim.

He wondered why in the face of glaring evidence the court looked the other way, adding that the recent inconsistencies within courts of coordinate jurisdiction and obvious political influence are bastardising the essence of fairness and justice.

Ameh alleged that politicians now boastfully use the Judiciary as a weapon to undo their opponents and procure a judgment in their favour, urging the Supreme Court to restore the status of the judiciary with verdicts based on facts.

He said: “Using the case of Rivers, JAD released a video showing Rt. Hon. Martin Amawhule and 26 others of the Rivers State House of Assembly loyal to FCT Minister Nyesom, voluntarily defected from their original political party without any established crisis within the party and swore to an affidavit to authenticate their defection.

“We have seen how they still boast that they shall influence the Judiciary in their favour.

“Nigerians especially Rivers people rely on the Supreme Court to put the record straight without any undue influence.

“The Supreme Court as the highest decision maker is expected to protect the sanctity of Nigeria’s Judicial system to avert the breakdown of law and order in the oil-rich Rivers State.”