A former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and political activist, Timi Frank, has raised the alarm over an alleged plot by loyalists of former Rivers State Governor Nyesom Wike to manipulate the recently delivered Supreme Court judgment in the state.
Frank alleged that certain individuals are attempting to insert the issue of defection—currently being litigated at the Appeal Court—into the ruling, in a bid to influence ongoing legal battles.
In a statement, Frank described the move as a “desperate lobby to smuggle into the judgment an aspect which was not decided.” He claimed that Wike’s allies are behind the effort to tamper with the judgment, which focused on the Rivers State Local Government elections and the budget presentation dispute.
Alleged Plot to Manipulate Judgment
According to Frank, the issue of defection—specifically whether the defection of Wike’s loyalist lawmakers from the PDP to APC was legal—is already before the Appeal Court and the Federal High Court. He insisted that any attempt to insert this issue into the Supreme Court’s decision would be a deliberate effort to undermine the judicial process.
“There is an ongoing plot to doctor the Supreme Court judgment on Rivers and insert issues of defection that were not litigated by the parties,” Frank stated.
He further warned that such interference could damage the integrity of the Supreme Court, calling on the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the panel of Justices who heard the case to ensure that the ruling remains untampered.
“We are calling on the Supreme Court Chief Justice and the panel of Justices who heard the case to ensure that the desperate attempts of the Wike group do not taint their judgment. The issue of defection, which is still at the Appeal Court, must not be imported into the judgment to undermine the ongoing cases,” he added.
Threat to Constitutional Democracy
Frank cautioned that if the alleged tampering succeeds, it could have severe consequences for Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.
“We are confident that the eminent jurists who delivered the judgment know the issues at stake and will not fail Nigerians by ensuring that a check is put on the Wike group’s political madness and desperation, which is threatening constitutional democracy in Nigeria,” he said.
Final Warning on Integrity of Supreme Court
Frank claimed to have received reliable information that Wike’s camp, working with some Supreme Court insiders, is attempting to add a two-page ruling on defection that was never discussed in open court.
“What they want to push into the judgment secretly was never part of the ruling of the lower courts or the Supreme Court,” he warned.
He stressed that if this alleged interference is not stopped, it will do irreparable harm to Nigeria’s judicial system.
“This desperate move, if allowed, will rubbish the integrity of the Supreme Court and cause irredeemable damage to our nation’s apex and most respected court,” Frank concluded.