The League of Women Voters of Nigeria has received with utmost shock and disbelief a video showing a so called Civil defense officer preventing a female Kebbi High Court Judge, Justice Elizabeth Karatu from delivering judgment in cases before her. Sources indicate that in addition to discrimination on the basis of religion, and gender, there are efforts by powerful political forces to force her to pervert justice in the cases before her. We believe that Nigeria is not a Banana Republic and is too civilized a Nation to allow this type of intimidation and action against a Judicial officer who at the end of the day is the hope for the common man, and therefore must not be allowed to happen. We call for the intervention of the Inspector General of Police, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, The National Assembly of Nigeria and in fact the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to as a matter of Urgency investigate this matter, protect Justice Elizabeth Karatu and bring the culprits to book and reassure the good people of Nigeria that the Country has not descended to such a low level that such action as is portrayed in the video can take place and be allowed to go unpunished.
Rt Hon Dame Esther Uduehi
President, League of Women Voters of Nigeria.
