Nigeria’s judiciary is teetering on the brink of a catastrophic crisis, its credibility and independence hanging by a thread. For the first time in the nation’s history, two female judicial leaders—Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun and President of the Court of Appeal Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem—are at the center of intense national and international scrutiny. Their perceived failure to shield the judiciary from political interference has cast a dark cloud over their leadership and placed the entire judicial system in jeopardy. With over 25 politically charged cases tied to Rivers State and the aggressive maneuvers of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike, the integrity of Nigeria’s courts is precariously close to collapse.

The Looming Danger of Judicial Missteps

Rivers State has become the epicenter of a looming national crisis, its stability threatened by Wike’s relentless bid to maintain control at any cost. Masquerading as legal battles, these cases are part of a calculated strategy to destabilize his successor, Governor SiminalayiFubara, and reassert dominance over the political landscape of Rivers State.

This deluge of politically motivated cases, many filed outside Rivers State in Abuja courts, paints a troubling picture of judicial manipulation. Under Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun and Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, the judiciary is increasingly perceived as a willing accomplice in this power struggle, raising questions about its role as an impartial arbiter of justice.

Judges operating within this system must confront some hard truths: Why has one man, Nyesom Wike, managed to hijack judicial processes? Why are courts inundated with cases that appear more about political vendettas than the pursuit of justice? The judiciary, once regarded as the last hope of the common man, is dangerously close to being weaponized for political warfare.

The fallout from this judicial entanglement is not just a domestic embarrassment but a global concern. Nigeria’s judiciary, led by two of its most prominent female leaders, now stands accused of enabling a political scheme that threatens to erode public trust, destabilize Rivers State, and set a dangerous precedent for judicial complicity in political power plays. The stakes could not be higher, and the consequences of inaction are too dire to ignore.

A Judiciary Under Siege

Wike’s strategic moves—including constructing court buildings, hosting ceremonies, and providing housing for judges—have placed the judiciary in an ethically precarious position. These actions, though veiled in benevolence, carry the sinister undertone of creating indebtedness. Judges must remember their loyalty is to the constitution and the law, not to political actors or their extravagant gestures. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun and Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem must break this cycle of entanglement and reclaim the judiciary’s dignity.

The Courts Are Not INEC: A Judiciary at Risk

The judiciary is not, and should never be, an extension of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Its mandate is to uphold the law impartially and serve as the cornerstone of justice and democracy. However, under the leadership of two women—Chief Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun and Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem—the judiciary’s credibility and independence are under serious threat. This perception has fostered a troubling erosion—of integrity, independence, and, most alarmingly, public trust.

While there are undoubtedly judges within the court system led by these two women who remain committed to delivering impartial justice, the overall atmosphere of the judiciary, especially in the eyes of Nigerians and the international community, has become deeply troubling and shaming. The institution once seen as the last hope of the common man is now mired in accusations of complicity in political gamesmanship.

How Have These Two Women Allowed This Decline?

The judiciary, once revered as a symbol of fairness and impartiality, now finds itself entangled in controversy. These two women, entrusted with safeguarding the independence of the courts, stand accused of failing to shield the judiciary from the clutches of political actors like Nyesom Wike. Wike’s calculated use of the courts to maintain dominance in Rivers State and undermine his successor has cast a long shadow over the judiciary’s ability to act independently.

This association—whether through attendance at politically charged events or rulings perceived as partisan—has only deepened suspicions about the judiciary’s neutrality. What was once an institution held in the highest regard is now viewed as a participant in political schemes rather than a bastion of justice.

A Call for the Two Women to Restore Judicial Integrity

For the judiciary to reclaim its lost integrity, these two women must take decisive action to draw a firm line between the courts and political interference. Justice Kekere-Ekun and Justice Dongban-Mensem must lead by example, steering the judiciary back to its role as an impartial and independent institution.

The world is watching, and Nigerians are demanding accountability. The failure of these two women to act decisively will not only tarnish their legacies but will also threaten the nation’s democratic institutions and further alienate an already disillusioned public. Justice must not only be done but be seen to be done, and it is their responsibility to ensure the judiciary rises above this troubling period to restore trust and confidence in the courts.

The Atmosphere of Judicial Compromise

The global and national perception of Nigeria’s judiciary is increasingly one of compromise. With over 25 politically motivated cases linked to Wike’s faction flooding the courts, the judicial system appears vulnerable to manipulation. Judges within this system are now faced with decisions that could either restore the public’s faith or deepen the narrative of judicial partiality. Yet, the visible entanglement of the judiciary’s leaders in politically charged events, coupled with rulings that seem to favor Wike’s faction, continues to erode its integrity.

This atmosphere of judicial compromise is not only shaming but also dangerous. It signals to the world that Nigeria’s judiciary is no longer above the fray, that it has been dragged into the messy and divisive politics of power. This perception damages the nation’s democratic standing and invites scrutiny from international observers who are closely watching these developments.

The Weight of Leadership

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun and Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem bear the heavy burden of safeguarding judicial independence, but they have failed woefully. Their reckless decision to attend political and celebratory events hosted by Nyesom Wike—whose cases could land in their courts—has not only shattered the judiciary’s credibility but cast a dark shadow over every judge under their leadership.

These two women have placed even the most honorable judges in a position of uncertainty, forcing good judges and magistrates to work within a judiciary increasingly seen as compromised. Former President Obasanjo’s scathing critique of a ‘captured judiciary’ is a damning reflection of their leadership. If they fail to change course, they will forever be remembered as the architects of Nigeria’s judicial collapse.

Nigerians and the international community are watching. The judiciary cannot afford to continue down this path of perceived compromise. Its leaders must act decisively to reaffirm the independence of the courts, ensuring that justice is not only done but seen to be done. Anything less would be a betrayal of the judiciary’s sacred role in upholding the law and protecting democracy.

Rivers State: The Spark for National Unrest

The situation in Rivers State transcends political disputes; it is now a flashpoint for potential national chaos. If rulings from the appeals court or Supreme Court appear to favor Wike’s side, they will be seen as judicial complicity in his relentless pursuit of power. This perception could trigger unrest reminiscent of Nigeria’s darkest periods.

The controversial ruling barring Rivers State from receiving allocations exemplifies this growing public anger. This decision, widely criticized, is seen not as a punishment of the state government but of the citizens themselves. Such rulings deepen resentment, spark outrage, and fuel the narrative of a judiciary that has lost its way. The public will not blame Wike or President Tinubu for the resulting chaos—they will squarely blame these two female judicial leaders for failing to act decisively to protect the integrity of the courts.

A National Embarrassment

The conduct of the judiciary under Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun and Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem is rapidly becoming a national embarrassment. Their perceived complicity in politically charged events and rulings that favor Wike’s faction tarnishes the judiciary’s image. How have Nigeria’s most respected judicial offices become synonymous with partisanship and manipulation? How have they fallen so far from their sacred duty to be impartial arbiters of justice?

The world is watching, and Nigeria’s judiciary is now under a microscope. The consequences of inaction are dire—a collapse of public trust, the erosion of democratic values, and a potential descent into widespread unrest, beginning in Rivers State and spreading like wildfire.

A Call to Action

Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun and Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem must seize this moment to redefine their leadership and restore the judiciary’s integrity. They must draw a firm line between the judiciary and political actors like Wike. This is not a time for complacency or complicity; it is a time for courage. These leaders must reassert the judiciary’s foundational principles of impartiality and justice.

The judiciary must rise above the fray and demonstrate its independence. Nigeria cannot afford a judiciary that exacerbates division and unrest. Without decisive leadership, these two women risk cementing their legacies as architects of a judicial crisis that plunged the nation into chaos.

The courts are meant to deliver justice, not ignite conflict. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun and Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem must act swiftly and decisively to avert a national disaster. The nation is watching, the stakes could not be higher, and history will not be kind to those who fail to act.

John Egbeazien Oshodi

Professor John Egbeazien Oshodi, born in Uromi, Edo State, Nigeria, is an American-based police and prison scientist, forensic/clinical psychologist, public policy psychologist, and legal psychologist. He’s a government advisor on forensic-clinical psychological services in the USA and the founder of the Dr. John Egbeazien Oshodi Foundation for Psychological Health. With a significant role in introducing forensic psychology to Nigeria through N.U.C. and Nasarawa State University, he’s also a former Secretary-General of the Nigeria Psychological Association. He’s taught at esteemed institutions like Florida Memorial University, Florida International University, Nova Southeastern University, and more, and is currently an online faculty member at ISCOM University,  Weldios University and Walden University.