Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has urged Nigerians to ask judges who allegedly received houses from the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to step aside from cases brought before them.
Sowore made the statement in a social media post, where he raised concerns about judicial independence and the influence of politicians on the justice system.
According to him, any judge who has received gifts such as houses from a politician should not preside over cases involving that political figure or related matters.
“If you appear before any judge who collected a mansion from Nyesom Wike, ask that judge to recuse themselves immediately,” Sowore said.
He added that justice cannot be guaranteed if a judge is believed to have received benefits from a politician.
“Justice cannot come from a bench compromised by gifts from politicians,” he said.
Sowore’s comments come amid ongoing public discussions about the relationship between political office holders and members of the judiciary in Nigeria.
In recent months, debates have emerged over reports that some houses built in the Federal Capital Territory were allocated to judges as part of government projects.
Supporters of the policy say it is part of efforts to improve the welfare of judicial officers, while critics argue that such benefits could raise concerns about the independence of the judiciary.
Nigeria’s judicial system is expected to operate independently of the executive and legislative branches of government. This independence is considered essential for fair trials and the protection of citizens’ rights.
Sowore said litigants should insist that any judge who has received such gifts withdraw from cases to avoid conflicts of interest.
In the legal system, recusal refers to a situation where a judge steps aside from a case because of possible bias or conflict of interest.
According to legal principles, judges are expected to avoid situations where their decisions may appear influenced by personal relationships or benefits.
Sowore argued that allowing judges who have received benefits from politicians to handle related cases could damage public trust in the justice system.
The issue of housing for judges has been part of wider discussions about improving the welfare of judicial officers in Nigeria.
Over the years, several governments have announced programs aimed at providing better accommodation and working conditions for judges.
Supporters say these measures are necessary because judicial officers play a key role in maintaining law and order.
However, critics argue that such benefits must be carefully managed to ensure that they do not create the impression that judges are indebted to political leaders.
Sowore’s comments have added to ongoing debates about transparency and accountability in public institutions.
Although there has been no official response from Nyesom Wike regarding Sowore’s remarks, political analysts say the issue highlights the sensitive relationship between the executive arm of government and the judiciary.
