By S.T Yenge Esq
The recent pronouncements of the apex court in respect of the governorship election matters from various states of the federation are highly commendable.
The verdicts of the pinnacle court involving different political parties ushered in a renewed hope for better democratic ethos in Nigeria.
Indeed, the Nigerian democracy is always strengthened by the top court of the land and the Court has done it again.
A critical look at the decisions of the apex court for sometime now save in few cases demonstrated wisdom with a broader spectrum of national cohesion, paying less attention to sentiments and sympathy of the disputing parties.
The apex court in most cases appears to understand the Nigerian society and its intricacies more than the courts below which apparently supposed to be closer to the local operation of the society than the apex court.
Recently, the apex court reached several decisions deprecating the conversion of civil cases to criminal cases by the prosecuting agencies.
The intervention of the apex court in that respect was equally timely because the lower courts’ decisions permitted and sanctioned such dimension of prosecuting and convicting persons who breach contracts and other civil engagements. The popular offence imitated is always criminal breach of trust.
This is indeed a new trend going on in Nigeria where civil matters like recovery of debts, enforcement of contracts, land disputes etc are now purposely crafted with criminal apparels by some lawyers or security agents to intimidate innocent business partners.
There are so many areas where the apex court must be commended for taking bold steps for the protection and preservation of the rights of Nigerians and democratic values above the narrow interest of parties at present.
In the recent verdicts of the apex court in reshaping the electoral jurisprudence affecting the governorship elections, no one would doubt the role of the court in strengthening democracy in Nigeria.
Chief S.T Yenge writes from Abuja.
