The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has raised concerns over what it describes as alleged attempts by government-linked actors to interfere in an ongoing judicial matter involving Nafiu Bala Gombe, warning against any actions that could undermine the independence of the courts.
In a statement, the party alleged that there were covert efforts to pressure Justice Nwite to withdraw from presiding over the case, with the aim of having it reassigned to another judge.
According to the ADC, such moves, if confirmed, would amount to an unacceptable interference in judicial proceedings and pose a threat to the integrity of the justice system.
The party claimed that its legal team had observed unusual developments around the scheduling of the case, including its listing before Justice Nwite on May 8, 2026, despite the alleged non-release of a Certified True Copy (CTC) of a Supreme Court judgment connected to the matter.
It described the situation as suspicious and suggested that the timing could be part of a wider effort to trigger a judicial recusal and influence the reassignment of the case.
The ADC insisted that any attempt to remove the matter from the current judge through administrative or external pressure would undermine due process and violate established legal principles.
It further argued that judicial recusal is a strictly legal process that must be based on clear grounds and not influenced by political considerations or external lobbying.
The party also maintained that allegations against a judge must follow due process, including proper notification and hearing of all parties involved, stressing that judicial officers cannot be compelled to step aside without established legal justification.
The ADC warned that any perceived attempts to manipulate judicial assignments in politically sensitive cases could erode public confidence in the judiciary and weaken democratic institutions.
It called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Chief Justice of Nigeria to closely monitor developments and safeguard the independence of the courts.
The party also urged the international community and diplomatic missions in Nigeria to take note of the situation, stating that judicial independence is a cornerstone of democratic governance.
The ADC reiterated that the judiciary must remain insulated from political pressure, warning that any compromise of its independence would have far-reaching consequences for constitutional democracy in Nigeria.
