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CSOs Fault Odinkalu’s Allegations Against FCT High Court, Chief Judge

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have dismissed allegations made by Chidi Anselm Odinkalu against the FCT High Court and Chief Judge Husseini Baba Yusuf as baseless and misleading.
Chidi Anselm Odinkalu recently made allegations against the FCT High Court and Chief Judge Husseini Baba Yusuf, claiming that the Chief Judge was involved in a plot to stifle protests and undermine the judiciary.
However, Olufemi Adegoke, National Spokesperson for the Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), has debunked Odinkalu’s allegations as unfounded.
“Odinkalu’s claims are unfounded and calculated to undermine the integrity of the judiciary,” Adegoke said. “The Chief Judge was on holiday during the recent ruling by Justice Oriji and had no direct involvement.”
Adegoke clarified that the FCT High Court did not grant orders restraining protesters from exercising their constitutional rights, but rather aimed to ensure public safety and prevent disruptions to public peace.
He also dismissed Odinkalu’s claim that the Chief Judge relocated to the Minister’s office to “display assets” as a blatant lie, stating that the meeting was a routine courtesy visit to discuss matters of mutual interest.
“Odinkalu’s rhetoric raises a critical question: would he prefer that Nigeria be overrun by hoodlums under the guise of protests?” Adegoke asked. “The order issued by Justice Oriji was instrumental in preventing such an invasion of Abuja by criminal elements, ensuring that the peace and security of the nation’s capital were maintained.”
Adegoke urged Nigerians to disregard Odinkalu’s unfounded accusations and recognize the judiciary’s role in maintaining law and order. He also warned those planning to protest against the Chief Judge to desist from such actions, emphasizing that any attempts to disrupt public order or undermine the judiciary will not be tolerated.
The CSOs reiterated their commitment to supporting the rule of law and ensuring justice is upheld in Nigeria, standing firmly with the judiciary and advocating for actions promoting peace, security, and citizens’ Rights.
Read full statement below:
Debunking the Allegations Against the FCT High Court and the Honorable Chief Judge
Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have taken note of the scurrilous allegations made by Chidi Anselm Odinkalu against the FCT High Court and the Honorable Chief Judge, Husseini Baba Yusuf.
Odinkalu’s article unfairly targets the Chief Judge, despite the fact that the Chief Judge was on holiday and had no direct involvement in the recent ruling by Justice Oriji.
We categorically debunk these allegations as baseless, misleading, and calculated to undermine the integrity of the judiciary.
Setting the Record Straight
1. The judgement made by Justice Oriji, which temporarily restricts protests to the stadium within the FCT, was a measured response to the clear and present danger of protests being hijacked by hoodlums. Nigeria has witnessed how genuine protests can devolve into chaos, with criminal elements seizing the opportunity to loot, destroy property, and incite violence. The restriction to stadium venues was not an attempt to stifle legitimate dissent, but rather a strategic measure to protect citizens and public infrastructure from potential harm.
2. It is important to clarify that the Chief Judge of the FCT was on holiday during the time of Justice Oriji’s ruling. As such, the Chief Judge could not have influenced or dictated the decisions of other judges. The judiciary operates independently, and each judge is empowered to make decisions based on the law and the facts presented before them. Odinkalu’s attempt to drag the Chief Judge into this matter is a clear case of misrepresentation.
3. The FCT High Court did not grant any orders restraining protesters from exercising their constitutional rights. The court’s order was aimed at ensuring public safety and preventing any potential disruptions to the public peace.
4. The allegation that the Chief Judge relocated to the Minister’s office to “display assets” is a blatant lie. The meeting was a routine courtesy visit to discuss matters of mutual interest.
5. The claim that the Chief Judge instructed Administrative Judges to assign cases involving the FCT to himself is false. Case assignment is a routine administrative process, and the Chief Judge has not departed from established protocols.
6. The FCT Minister did not initiate proceedings without notice to the defendants. The ex parte application was made in accordance with established legal procedures.
7. We ask Chidi Anselm Odinkalu: Would he have preferred that Nigeria be invaded by hoodlums? The order from Justice Oriji helped to stop hoodlums from invading Abuja and causing chaos. Is that not a commendable effort to maintain law and order?
8. We call on all well-meaning Nigerians to disregard these unfounded accusations and to recognize the judiciary’s role in maintaining law and order. Odinkalu’s rhetoric raises a critical question: would he prefer that Nigeria be overrun by hoodlums under the guise of protests? The order issued by Justice Oriji was instrumental in preventing such an invasion of Abuja by criminal elements, ensuring that the peace and security of the nation’s capital were maintained. The FCT High Court and the Honorable Chief Judge have acted with integrity and in accordance with the law.
9. We urge those planning to protest against the Chief Judge of the FCT to desist from such actions. Any attempts to disrupt public order or to undermine the judiciary will not be tolerated. The law will take its course, and those found engaging in illegal activities will be held accountable.
10. We also imploy all civil society groups and online platforms to exercise responsibility in their advocacy. Misinformation and inflammatory rhetoric, as seen in Odinkalu’s article, only serve to incite unnecessary tension and to discredit the genuine efforts of the judiciary to maintain peace and order in our society.
Conclusion
CSOs reiterate its commitment to supporting the rule of law and to ensuring that justice is upheld in Nigeria. We stand firmly with the judiciary and will continue to advocate for actions that promote peace, security, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
Signed
Olufemi Adegoke
National SPOKESPERSON
Coalition of Civil Society Organizations of Nigeria (COCSON)
News
SERAP sues Akpabio over ‘failure to reverse unlawful suspension of Natasha Akpoti’

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against Senate President Godswill Akpabio over the suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan. The group argues that the suspension is unlawful and violates her fundamental right to freedom of expression.
SERAP is seeking a court order compelling Akpabio to reverse the six-month suspension, reinstate Akpoti-Uduaghan, and restore all her legislative privileges. The organization also wants an injunction preventing the Senate from imposing further disciplinary actions against her for expressing her views.
Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan was suspended after she reportedly spoke without permission and rejected a new seat assignment in the Senate chamber. As part of her suspension, her salary and allowances have been withheld, and she has been barred from identifying as a senator.
In its suit filed at the Federal High Court in Abuja, SERAP contends that the suspension deprives Akpoti-Uduaghan’s constituents of political representation. The organization also argues that penalizing a senator for exercising free speech creates a chilling effect on other lawmakers.
“No one should ever be punished for speaking without permission,” SERAP stated. “The Senate should uphold the rule of law and protect human rights, not suppress them.”
The group cites constitutional provisions and international human rights treaties, including Section 39 of the Nigerian Constitution, the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
SERAP maintains that the Senate Standing Orders cannot override constitutional guarantees of free speech. The lawsuit emphasizes that restricting a senator’s expression undermines democracy and violates Nigerians’ right to receive information and participate politically.
No date has been set for the hearing of the case.
News
Market associations, women groups knock el-Rufai, rally support for Tinubu, Gov Sani

Ahead of the 2027 elections, hundreds of members of market associations and numerous women groups in Kaduna state at the weekend, occupied Kaduna metropolis in a peaceful demonstration where they reiterated their loyalty and support to the administration of
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna state and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The protesters who alleged that they had bitter experiences during the El-Rufa’i administration, said they would remain where Governor Uba Sani stood and advised the citizens of Kaduna not to be deceived by doing the contrary.
They recounted their ordeals during the 8 years of the previous administration, alleging that hundreds of market shops belonging to individuals were either seized, demolished or confiscated, a situation that triggered ill health in many traders and business owners leading to paralysis and multiple deaths of their colleagues.
“We’ve been in the market for over 40 years and have never experienced the kind of set backs we suffered under the previous Governor.”
“A lot of lives were lost,a lot of finances were ruined by reason of his kind of policies. We are here to speak with one voice and say that anything that would kind of revive such kind of philosophy in Kaduna market, we don’t want it,” Daniel Audu Maigari, a stakeholder of the Kaduna Market associations, has said.
He explained that “this incumbent Governor began by healing the wounds, the wounds that were really severed by the former Governor. Governor Uba Sani has been doing so,so very well and that’s why we’ve been with our leader, Alhaji Abdurrahman Mohammed, who like Governor Sani,has been charting the right course, ensuring programmes and plans that will heal these wounds .”
He said there was never been a time they are having the impact of leadership in Kaduna market, like they are having now.
” Now we’ve lots of incentives, lots of policies that are driving us to progress .We are now standing with one voice to denounce anything that would reverse this,” he said.
Alhaji Daiyabu Ismail Mai Gwanjo, Chairman Stakeholders of the Kaduna State Market Traders associations, said on behalf of their leader,Alhaji Abdurrahman Mohammed, his EXCO and all trader leaders in the 23 Local Government Areas of Kaduna State, they have gathered to unilaterally declare an unalloyed support to Governor Uba Sani who had taken care of them and protected their interests.
According to him,” we have to say so,haven had the harrowing experience in the hands of the past administration. The scar still remains and many are yet to recover.”
“But when Almighty Allah sent Governor Uba Sani to us,he declared he would not do anything bad to traders because the world thrives on businesses.All the most cherished countries like China, Canada, UAE, India,are very proud of and supportive to their traders and other business persons.”
“Unfortunately, we found ourselves during the previous administration that neither showed empathy nor sympathy to traders. An approximate number of 36 markets were demolished at that time.None of these markets was completely rebuild ,till date,and we are suspicious of the collaboration between the previous administration and the market developers.”
“We are therefore calling on Governor Uba Sani, our Governor of sympathy and understanding, to look at this issue with a view to resolving it.We are with Uba Sani a hundred percent, ” he added.
Hajiya Hadiza Abdulaziz,a woman leader of the market association,said they have gathered in multitudes to reiterate their support to the APC and Governor Uba Sani who has tremendously supported the market men and women in Kaduna State.
” Most of the market women had no shops because the shops were collected. But now we give God the glory everybody has gotten their shops back and nobody will collect it again,” she said.
She expressed happiness that those making the market women not to achieve, had left the party and government.
“We’ve been crying, a lot of market women don’t have capital, they have been deceiving us.But now,I believe Governor Uba Sani is going to assist us,”she added.
The protesters later took to the streets ,displaying placards with various inscriptions denouncing the previous arrangements, and chanting slogans in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Uba Sani and the All Progressives Congress, APC.
” Most of the market women had no shops because the shops were collected. But now we give God the glory everybody has gotten their shops back and nobody will collect it again,” she said.
She expressed happiness that those making the market women not to achieve, had left the party and government.
“We’ve been crying, a lot of market women don’t have capital, they have been deceiving us.But now,I believe Governor Uba Sani is going to assist us,”she added.
The protesters later took to the streets ,displaying placards with various inscriptions denouncing the previous arrangements, and chanting slogans in support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Governor Uba Sani and the All Progressives Congress, APC.
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