Supreme Court: NBA Petitions Police Over Kwankwaso’s Claims
Last update: February 5, 2026
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NBA petition security agencies over Kwankwaso’s claims of visiting Supreme Court justices...
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has resolved to petition the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and other security agencies over recent comments by Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso, which it says could erode public confidence in Nigeria’s judicial system.
The decision followed revelations by Kwankwaso, National Leader of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), that he once accompanied the current Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, to visit justices of the Supreme Court during litigation arising from the 2019 Kano governorship election.
After deliberations, the NBA’s National Executive Council (NEC) described the remarks as deeply troubling and capable of “undermining public trust in the judiciary and the entire electoral justice system.”
In a statement posted on 𝕏 (formerly Twitter) by Etaba Agbor, Secretary of the NBA Young Lawyers’ Forum, the association said the NEC unanimously agreed to submit a formal petition seeking a thorough investigation into the claims.
According to the NBA, the scope of the petition will not be limited to Kwankwaso alone.
“The scope of this petition shall not be limited to Mr Kwankwaso alone. It will extend to any individual who has made statements or admissions indicating improper access to judicial officers or undue influence on judicial decisions,” the statement said.
The association stressed that the move should not be interpreted as a presumption of guilt but as a necessary step to protect the integrity of the judicial process.
“The objective is to ensure that allegations of this gravity are subjected to thorough, impartial, and professional investigation,” the NBA stated.
The NBA warned that both false and substantiated claims of judicial compromise pose serious dangers to Nigeria’s democracy.
“False claims of judicial interference are dangerous and corrosive to constitutional democracy and must be firmly repudiated. And where such claims are found to be true, accountability must follow in accordance with the law,” it added.
Following the resolution, the NEC mandated the NBA national leadership to formally write to the Inspector-General of Police and the heads of other relevant security agencies, demanding a comprehensive investigation into the controversial remarks.
Kwankwaso reportedly made the claims while addressing supporters after Governor Yusuf’s recent defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC), alleging that he took Yusuf to visit Supreme Court justices after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared the 2019 Kano governorship election inconclusive.
The Supreme Court later upheld the victory of Abdullahi Ganduje, dismissing Yusuf’s petition.
CBI News reports that the revelation has sparked widespread backlash, particularly among legal practitioners and civil rights advocates, who argue that it raises serious questions about the sanctity and independence of Nigeria’s electoral jurisprudence.
Reaffirming its commitment to the rule of law, the NBA said the judiciary must remain insulated from political influence and manipulation.
“Only a robust, independent judiciary can guarantee democracy and uphold the rights of Nigerians,” the association stated.
