A group, under the auspices of the Human Rights and Grassroots Development Society (HRGDS), has expressed support for the court’s intervention in the ongoing Lekki waterfront property dispute.
HRGDS’ Executive Secretary, Mr Femi Akanbi, made this known in a statement, Friday, in Abuja.
Akanbi condemned the escalating campaign of misinformation, alleged intimidation and unwarranted attacks directed at the Nigerian judiciary in respect of the case.
He said the decision of Justice Uthman Musa of the FCT High Court directing all parties to maintain a status quo and for the police to preserve the subject matter of investigation “was taken judicially, lawfully and in accordance with settled legal principles.”
According to him, direct assaults on judicial independence represents a dangerous attempt to pressure the courts through media manipulation and orchestrated public agitation.
For clarity and public enlightenment, Akanbi explained that Mr Henry Orabuchi, who instituted the case, merely exercised his constitutionally guaranteed right to seek redress before a court of competent jurisdiction.
“The ruling was issued solely to preserve the subject matter of the dispute and prevent further illegality pending the determination of the substantive suit.
“It is reckless, misleading and legally indefensible for any individual or organisation to suggest that the court acted outside its powers or targeted innocent parties,” he added.
He stated that courts exist “precisely to intervene” where disputes, alleged irregularities and competing claims threaten to degenerate into disorder or cause irreparable harm.
Akanbi expressed disappointment over alleged coordinated attacks on the judiciary when “lawful court orders” failed to align with certain private interests.
This, according to him, has resulted in an emerging pattern in which media organisations reporting factual developments on the matter have allegedly been threatened.
“Such conduct raises grave concerns regarding contempt of court and deliberate attempts to undermine public confidence in the justice system,” he said.
Akanbi explained that disagreement with a court order does not confer a licence to malign judges, incite public sentiment or orchestrate smear campaigns against the judiciary.
“Such actions strike at the very heart of democracy and the rule of law,” he said.
Akanbi, therefore, advised parties to ensure that justice is pursued and defended strictly through lawful processes.
He stressed that while judicial independence must be protected, Nigeria cannot afford a precedent in which litigants attempt to secure favourable outcomes through propaganda, coercion or mob pressure.
NAN reports that Justice Musa had directed all parties to maintain a status quo in respect of the entire property known as Plot A, Block 12, Lekki Peninsula Scheme, including the reclaimed land measuring 3,000 square metres, pending the determination of the case.
The judge further directed the police to take over the site to prevent damage to the property and to place caveats on all registering authorities, suspending any action on the property pending the determination of the suit.
The order followed a suit instituted by Orabuchi over the disputed property.
The applicant, in the suit, had named the Nigeria Police Force; the Inspector-General of Police; ACP Magaji K. Mohammed (Assistant Commissioner of Police, Head, IGP Monitoring Unit) as respondents.
Others are SP Abigail Patrick; Emecheta Elvis Eze; and the Commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, Lagos State as respondents.
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