* Calls for urgent sanity
By Francesca Hangeior
Renowned legal practitioner and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr. Monday O. Ubani, has raised alarm over what he describes as a “disturbing and dangerous trend” in Nigeria’s legal and political spheres: the deliberate misinterpretation of Supreme Court judgments by litigants.
In a strongly worded statement titled “The Dangerous Trend of Misinterpreting Supreme Court Judgements in Nigeria: A Call for Urgent Sanity”, Ubani cautioned that this growing practice threatens the judiciary’s authority, public trust, and the stability of Nigeria’s democracy.
Ubani highlighted that parties in high-profile cases are increasingly cherry-picking parts of Supreme Court rulings to suit their agendas, spinning misleading narratives that sow confusion and prolong conflicts.
Citing Rivers State Crisis in the dispute between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the Rivers State House of Assembly, Ubani noted conflicting interpretations of the Supreme Court’s ruling on the Assembly’s actions post-defection and the Governor’s compliance with agreements, leaving the public uncertain about the legal outcome.
On the PDP Leadership Tussle, the senior lawyer noted that the internal conflict within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) between Mr. Samuel Anyanwu and Mr. Okorie Okoye persists despite a Supreme Court decision intended to resolve it. Ubani lamented that both factions claimed victory, deepening the party’s crisis.
Also speaking on Labour Party Leadership Dispute, Ubani said that Following the Supreme Court’s April 4, 2025 judgment (SC/CV/56/2025) striking out a suit recognizing Barrister Julius Abure as Labour Party chairman, Ubani observed that rival factions continue to assert opposing positions, disregarding the court’s clear stance that it lacked jurisdiction over the party’s leadership.
“The Supreme Court is the final arbiter of justice in Nigeria,” Ubani stated. “Yet, parties manipulate these judgments to suit selfish ends, leading to public confusion and worsening the disputes the court aimed to settle.”
Ubani outlined three major dangers posed by this trend:
Undermining the Supreme Court: If parties treat the apex court’s rulings as optional, its authority weakens, shaking the foundation of Nigeria’s judicial system.
Endless Conflicts: Misinterpretations prevent disputes from ending, defeating the purpose of judicial resolution and fueling perpetual litigation.
Loss of Public Trust: When court decisions fail to bring clarity, people may lose faith in the judiciary, paving the way for lawlessness and disrespect for the rule of law.
To curb this menace, Ubani emphasised the need for clearer Judgment as he urged the Supreme Court to issue unambiguous rulings with specific orders to close loopholes for manipulation.
He called on lawyers to uphold professional integrity, advising clients truthfully rather than twisting judgments to appease them. “It’s dangerous for lawyers to become merchants of confusion,” he warned.