Judiciary and National Assembly fail to perform duties

A Rivers State elder, Sarah Igbe, has voiced concerns about the effectiveness of the judiciary and the National Assembly in carrying out their constitutional duties. Speaking on Channels TV’s *Politics Today* programme, Igbe argued that these institutions have become appendages of the executive branch. He said the judiciary is failing to fulfill its role, while the National Assembly has become subservient to the presidency.

According to Igbe, this dynamic has rendered bodies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) ineffective in investigating and prosecuting cases. His remarks were prompted by Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s recent probe of the sole administrator, Ibas. Igbe questioned why the governor felt the need to initiate the probe, noting that statutory institutions like the EFCC, ICPC and the National Assembly are constitutionally empowered to conduct investigations.

Instead of focusing on such probes, Igbe advised the governor to concentrate on peace‑building and development initiatives across the state. He expressed skepticism about the potential outcomes of any investigations, warning that even if anti‑graft agencies investigate and forward cases to the judiciary, the process might lead nowhere. “My fear is that even if they investigate and send it to the judiciary, it will still come back to square one,” he said, adding that any investigations should be closely watched for the judiciary’s response.

Igbe’s comments underscore ongoing concerns about the independence and effectiveness of Nigeria’s institutions, particularly the judiciary and the National Assembly. As the country continues to grapple with corruption and governance challenges, the ability of these bodies to perform their constitutional duties remains essential for accountability and the rule of law.