The Olympus Marino Deck of the National Association of Seadogs (NAS), also known as the Pyrates Confraternity, has called for a firm separation between the judiciary and the executive to protect Nigeria’s judicial system from political manipulation. This appeal emerged in a communique issued after its recent Street Pulse Series event, themed “Judicial Integrity vs Political Influence: Examining the Independence of the Courts”, held in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The NAS highlighted how politicians have gradually “captured” the courts, leaving citizens with limited recourse after flawed elections. “The judiciary is the last hope of the common man,” the communique stated, emphasizing that judicial independence is essential to uphold justice and preserve the social contract that binds Nigerian society. However, recent controversial rulings have raised concerns, with judgments undermining public confidence and calling the nation’s foundational principles into question.
The group underscored that while judicial independence should be institutionally assured, politicians’ influence over judicial budgets and appointments has created an imbalance of power. Additionally, the group pointed to the judicial sector’s struggle with corruption, arguing that the “rot in the judiciary is linked to the corrupt political system.”
Referencing the advice of the late Justice Niki Tobi, the NAS reiterated the need for Nigerian judges to keep a clear distance from political affiliations, maintaining the impartiality vital to their role. “Politics is grounded in partiality, while the judiciary must be impartial,” the communique noted.
In response, the group advocated reducing executive powers to allow for a genuine balance of power, both among government branches and between the government and citizens.
Speakers at the event included Prof. Ibibia Worika (Director, Centre for Advanced Law Research, Rivers State University), Human Rights Activist Ken Henshaw, Dr. Miebaka Nabiebu (Lecturer, Faculty of Law, UNICAL), and Socio-Political Analyst George Azunda Chinda. The panelists collectively urged Nigeria to strengthen judicial independence to foster a justice system capable of genuinely serving the people.
