Group Raises Alarm Over Rising Judicial Infractions on Civic Space

The Executive Director of Spaces for Change (S4C), Mrs Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri, has called for a balance between national security and the protection of citizens’ rights.

She made the call at a regional training workshop for Judges and Judicial officers in the South-East, supported by the Ford Foundation, in Enugu.

Ibezim-Ohaeri expressed concern over the growing use of legal processes to restrict civic activities, particularly amid security challenges and regional agitations.

Citing S4C’s research report, 'Go to Court,' which examined the judiciary’s role during the 2023 elections, she said reported cases of civic space violations involving judicial processes had risen sharply.

According to the findings, the first edition of the report recorded about 70 cases between 2017 and 2022, while the second documented roughly 700 cases between 2022 and 2024 across West Africa.

She identified the use of vague criminal charges, prolonged pre-trial detention, heavy charges against peaceful protesters and court rulings that support restrictions on dissent as major concerns.

She warned that such practices could turn the legal system into a tool for intimidating citizens and restricting their freedoms.

The S4C Director said the Enugu workshop was designed to help judicial officers understand how security concerns could be used to justify restrictions on civic rights.

She urged the judiciary to protect constitutional freedoms while recognising the legitimate security needs of the state.

In a goodwill message, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Enugu Branch, called for the protection of civic rights and fundamental freedoms during social, political and security crises.

The branch’s Vice Chairman, Perpetual Chime-Okpara, who represented the chairman at a training, stressed that freedom of expression, peaceful assembly and association remain constitutionally guaranteed, even during emergencies.

She urged judges to protect citizens from arbitrary government actions and advised prosecutors to ensure that criminal proceedings are not used to silence legitimate public criticism.

She also said government measures to maintain public order must be lawful, necessary and proportionate.

The NBA reaffirmed its commitment to defending the rule of law, protecting human rights and promoting democratic accountability.

Other NBA branches of Ebonyi and Anambra States also made goodwill messages asking judges and Magistrates to protect citizens from arbitrary government actions. 

The training features legal experts, interactive sessions and cross-border experiences aimed at strengthening judicial capacity and promoting respect for both national security and civic freedoms.