The African Democratic Congress ADC has accused agents of the federal government of secretly trying to interfere with an ongoing court case involving Nafiu Bala Gombe by allegedly mounting pressure on Hon. Justice Nwite to step away from the matter.
In a strongly worded statement released by the party’s National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC claimed it uncovered what it described as a dangerous plot by powerful figures within government circles to frustrate justice and manipulate the judicial process for political gain.
According to the party, certain forces are allegedly pushing for Justice Nwite to recuse himself so the case can be reassigned to judges believed to be more willing to follow political influence and deliver favourable outcomes.
The ADC warned that such actions amount to a direct attack on the independence of the judiciary and a serious threat to Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.
The party said information available to its legal team revealed that although the Certified True Copy CTC of the Supreme Court judgment has not yet been released or officially transmitted to the trial court, the case was unexpectedly fixed before Justice Nwite for hearing on May 8 2026.
ADC said the speed behind the scheduling has raised serious suspicions and fueled fears that there is a coordinated plan to pressure the judge into stepping aside from the case.
The party alleged that once Justice Nwite withdraws from the matter, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court could then transfer the case to another judge allegedly viewed as politically loyal and easier to influence.
ADC insisted that such a move would violate the spirit and directives earlier issued by both the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, which had ordered that the substantive trial judge should continue with an accelerated hearing of the case.
The opposition party stressed that any attempt to remove the matter from Justice Nwite through intimidation, blackmail, administrative manipulation, or coordinated pressure would amount to deliberate interference in the administration of justice.
The party further declared that judicial recusal is a serious legal procedure and must never be turned into a political tool used to satisfy desperate politicians seeking favourable judgments through secret arrangements.
ADC maintained that even when allegations or petitions are filed against a judge, due process requires that all affected parties must be informed and given a fair hearing before any decision is taken.
The party accused some political actors of attempting to turn the judiciary into an extension of partisan politics by allegedly shopping for friendly courts and convenient judges.
ADC warned that such actions threaten not only opposition parties but also the survival of democracy and the rule of law in Nigeria.
The party called on the National Judicial Council NJC, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, and respected stakeholders within the judiciary to urgently intervene and stop what it described as a dangerous drift toward judicial compromise.
ADC also appealed to the international community and diplomatic missions in Nigeria to closely monitor the situation and remind the Nigerian government that democracy cannot survive where courts are manipulated to serve political interests.
The party said the independence of the judiciary remains the foundation of every democratic society and warned that any attempt by state actors to intimidate judges, influence judicial postings, or interfere in politically sensitive cases strikes at the core of constitutional governance.
ADC concluded by warning that Nigeria must not descend into a system where justice is determined not by law but by the wishes of those in political power.
