Judiciary
Court of Appeal Restores Zamfara Lawmaker Removed for Leaving PDP
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has overturned a Federal High Court judgment that removed a member of the House of Representatives, Abubakar Gummi, from office after he defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In a unanimous decision delivered on Friday, a three-member panel of the appellate court ruled that the lower court erred when it declared Gummi’s seat vacant on the basis of his defection from the PDP to the APC.
Gummi, who represents the Gummi/Bukkuyum Federal Constituency of Zamfara State, had left the PDP citing internal leadership crises within the party at the national level.
The Federal High Court in Abuja had earlier, on October 30, 2025, ordered his removal from the House of Representatives following a suit filed by the PDP and the party’s Zamfara State chairman, Jamilu Jibomagayaki, challenging the defection.
However, while delivering the appellate court’s judgment, Justice Oyebiola Oyewumi held that the trial court was wrong to sack the lawmaker, noting that the appellant had the right to leave his party in view of the prevailing circumstances within the PDP.
The court also affirmed that a political office holder may seek another platform if the stability of the party under which he was elected becomes threatened.
The appellate court consequently allowed the appeal and set aside the earlier ruling that removed the lawmaker from office. It also awarded ₦1 million in costs against the PDP and its Zamfara chairman in favour of Gummi.
A poll conducted by Amnesty International has revealed deep public concern about the independence of Nigeria’s judiciary, with nearly 97 percent of respondents saying they believe Nigerian judges are not independent.
The poll, published on the social media platform of Amnesty International Nigeria, asked Nigerians a simple question: “Are Nigerian judges free and independent?” The overwhelming majority of participants voted “No,” while only a small fraction said “Yes.”
According to the results shared by the human rights organisation, more than 500 respondents participated in the poll, with about 482 people indicating that judges in Nigeria are not independent, representing roughly 97 percent of the votes. Only around 20 respondents believed the judiciary operates independently.
The outcome of the poll has sparked conversations online about the state of judicial independence in Nigeria, particularly regarding concerns about political influence, corruption, and the perceived vulnerability of court decisions to external pressure.
Legal analysts have long warned that a lack of public confidence in the judiciary could weaken the rule of law and undermine democratic institutions. Studies on the Nigerian justice system have also noted that many citizens distrust the judiciary, often due to perceptions that judicial decisions may be influenced by factors outside legal merit.
Advocates for judicial reforms say strengthening the independence of courts, ensuring transparency in judicial appointments, and protecting judges from political interference are key steps needed to restore public trust in the system.
The poll result adds to ongoing debates in Nigeria about the integrity of the justice system and the broader need for reforms aimed at strengthening democratic governance.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has warned that the bail granted to activist and publisher Omoyele Sowore could be revoked if he fails to appear at the next hearing in his ongoing trial over alleged defamatory comments against Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The warning was issued on Thursday by Justice Mohammed Umar after Sowore and members of his legal team were absent when the case was called.
Sowore, the convener of #RevolutionNow and publisher of Sahara Reporters, is being prosecuted by the Department of State Services (DSS) over claims that he referred to President Tinubu as “a criminal” in posts shared on his social media accounts, including X and Facebook.
During the proceedings, counsel to the DSS, Akinlolu Kehinde (SAN), informed the court that the matter was scheduled for the defence to conclude cross-examination of the first prosecution witness. He told the court that the defendant had been duly served with a hearing notice through his lawyers but failed to appear.
Kehinde noted that no explanation had been provided either by Sowore or any member of his legal team for their absence, despite the defence reportedly having about 30 lawyers.
Citing Section 352(1) and (2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, the prosecution urged the court to revoke Sowore’s bail and issue a bench warrant to compel his appearance.
However, Justice Umar declined the request for now, noting that the defendant had consistently attended previous hearings since the trial began late last year. The judge said the court would give Sowore the benefit of the doubt since it was his first absence.
He warned, however, that if the defendant fails to appear at the next hearing, the court would not hesitate to revoke his bail and issue an arrest warrant.
The court subsequently adjourned the case until March 16 for continuation of the trial and ordered that another hearing notice be served on the defence.
The Court of Appeal sitting in Akure has affirmed Dr. Wole Oluyede as the duly nominated governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the forthcoming Ekiti State governorship election.
In a unanimous judgment delivered on Thursday, a three-member panel led by Peter Chudi Obiorah, alongside Jane Esienanwan Inyang and Peter O. Affen, set aside the earlier ruling of the Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti which had nullified the party’s primary election.
The appellate court held that the primary election conducted by the National Working Committee of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) under the leadership of Kabiru Tanimu Turaki was valid, transparent and in compliance with both the party’s constitution and the Electoral Act.
The Federal High Court in Ado-Ekiti had on January 13, 2026 nullified the PDP governorship primary election held on November 8 and 9, 2025, which produced Wole Oluyede as the party’s candidate.
Dissatisfied with that judgment, the PDP challenged the ruling at the appellate court. In its decision on Thursday, the Court of Appeal allowed the appeal and overturned the earlier judgment.
The court further declared that the primary election was duly conducted and in line with the relevant legal provisions.
The ruling effectively resolves the internal leadership and candidacy disputes that had trailed the party’s preparations for the 2026 governorship election in Ekiti State.
With the judgment, the court has provided legal clarity that could allow the PDP to proceed into the election with a unified position behind its candidate.