By: Peace Udugba
Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, has accused the Federal Government and the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, of disobeying court judgments and undermining the rule of law.
In a statement made available to Saturday PUNCH, Falana decried the growing trend of government authorities and influential individuals disregarding judicial decisions, warning that such impunity threatens the foundation of constitutional democracy.
He particularly criticised the Senate under Akpabio’s leadership, describing it as “notorious” for its disregard of lawful court orders.
Falana cited several cases, including the leadership crisis in the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), where Comrade Tajudeen Baruwa was re-elected as President in August 2023—a victory upheld by both the National Industrial Court and the Court of Appeal. He alleged that despite these rulings, Baruwa was forcibly removed from the union’s national secretariat and replaced with Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, in defiance of court orders.
He also referenced the Supreme Court judgment in July 2024 that affirmed local government autonomy and ordered direct allocation of funds to the 774 local councils across the country. Falana noted that the Federal Government had yet to comply with the ruling, calling it a blatant act of contempt.
He urged the authorities to uphold the rule of law and respect judicial pronouncements to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy.
