By Muhammad Mamman
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has announced plans to petition the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies over remarks by Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Kano State governor and national leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), alleging interference in the judicial process.
The decision was reached by the NBA’s National Executive Council (NEC) following comments attributed to Kwankwaso, in which he claimed he took Abba Yusuf — now Kano State governor — to meet justices of the Supreme Court during legal proceedings arising from the 2019 Kano governorship election.
According to Kwankwaso, the meeting took place after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the election inconclusive, a statement that has sparked widespread concern within Nigeria’s legal community.
In a statement issued after its NEC meeting, the NBA said the allegation, if true, amounts to a serious breach of judicial independence and undermines public confidence in the justice system.
“The NBA views this claim with grave concern and has resolved to formally petition the Nigeria Police Force and relevant security agencies to investigate the matter thoroughly,” the association said.
The NBA stressed that any attempt to influence judges or interfere with court proceedings threatens the rule of law and democracy, adding that all parties involved must be held accountable.
Kwankwaso has yet to issue a formal clarification or retraction of the statement.
The development comes amid renewed calls from civil society groups for stronger safeguards to protect Nigeria’s judiciary from political pressure, as the country continues to grapple with questions over electoral integrity and institutional independence.
