The Supreme Court on Saturday rebuked Nigerians who had been “venting convoluted anger” after recent rulings that affirmed former Akwa Ibom Governor Godswill Akpabio and Senate President Ahmad Lawan as All Progressives Congress senatorial candidates in the February 25 elections. The apex court warned those who attack the judiciary and Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola—particularly U.S.-based Professor Farooq Kperogi and the Progressive Minds Forum—to redirect their energies toward political parties that “fail to organise themselves well.”
Dr. Festus Akande, Director of Press and Information at the Supreme Court, issued the warning in a statement titled “Be mindful of unwarranted attacks on judicial officers.” He noted that more than 600 cases have already arisen from party primaries conducted without external interference. The statement expressed dismay at recent events in the political landscape, describing it as “disheartening” to see individuals and groups who should serve as role models instead display ignorance and infantilism while defending the indefensible.
Akande condemned a “toxic article” by Farooq Adamu Kperogi, a self-described Nigerian‑American professor, who vented anger at Supreme Court justices to please his “paymasters.” He emphasized that judicial officers are not political office‑holders and should not be dressed in political robes. While every Nigerian has the right to express opinions, Akande urged restraint and self‑control to avoid infringing on others’ rights. He criticized Kperogi’s language as reflecting a “vacuum” that undermines his academic credentials and described him as a “serial verbal assailant” whose bellicose jingoism brings no honor to any discerning mind.
The court clarified that it does not seek cases but is duty‑bound to adjudicate all matters before it, delivering justice irrespective of status. No court is a “Father Christmas”; decisions are based on merit, not on the faces or sentiments presented. Accusations that justices have been bought by unseen persons are “a bizarre expression of ignorance” with no place in law or reason.
Akande acknowledged a surge in orchestrated verbal assaults on judicial officers during the election period, noting that while the judiciary is accustomed to such attacks, decorum and dignity must be maintained. Politics should be guided by conscience and moral conduct. Calls for the Chief Justice’s resignation or attacks by the faceless “Progressive Minds Forum” are “rather prosaic.” If political parties manage internal disputes maturely, fewer cases will reach the courts, leading to a healthier political atmosphere.
The Supreme Court reaffirmed its commitment to its constitutional responsibility: to keep the country united and advance peace, progress, and development. Attacks from groups, parties, or individuals will not deter the judiciary; instead, they will strengthen its resolve. Linking CJN Ariwoola to his state of origin or tribe because of a particular judgment is petty and unreasonable. Nigeria’s chronic focus on religion and ethnicity hampers progress, turning it into a mirage.
With over 600 cases already stemming from party primaries, the court asked whether parties, Kperogi, or any individual would blame the judiciary for intra‑party wrangling that bypassed internal conflict‑resolution mechanisms. Those habitually attacking the judiciary should redirect their energy toward developmental ventures. The judiciary is not political, and no individual interest can supersede the collective interest of Nigeria—a nation larger than any single person. A word is enough for the wise.
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