Odinkalu Reacts To What Bishop Of Nsukka Said About The Judiciary After Court Sacked NDC Leadership

Nigerian lawyer and human rights activist, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, has reacted to comments made by the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Nsukka, Godfrey Igwebuike Onah, concerning the state of Nigeria’s judiciary and other public institutions.

Odinkalu shared his reaction in a post on his official X account on Friday, November 6, 2026, following a video in which the Catholic bishop criticised what he described as the growing influence of the President over institutions that are expected to operate independently.

The bishop’s remarks came amid widespread reactions to the Federal High Court judgment that nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President David Mark.

The ruling has generated considerable debate about the judiciary, political independence and the role of public institutions in Nigeria’s democratic system.

In the video circulating online, Bishop Onah argued that several institutions in the country appeared to be operating under the authority of the President rather than exercising their constitutional responsibilities independently.

He questioned why politically appointed officials and institutions expected to provide checks and balances seemed to rely heavily on the President’s authority.

According to him, the situation suggested that the President had acquired excessive influence, likening the country’s political arrangement to an absolute monarchy in which even institutions meant to hold the executive accountable appeared unwilling to act independently.

Reacting to the bishop’s observations, Odinkalu made a brief but pointed comment, suggesting that the judiciary was also affected by the situation being described.

The former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission wrote:

“If you go to court, judges are on the mandate”.

Odinkalu’s response appeared to reinforce the concerns raised by Bishop Onah about the independence of Nigeria’s institutions, particularly the judiciary, which is constitutionally expected to function without undue interference from the executive or other political authorities.

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