•One prefers return to modified Parliamentary system •Another says impunity, poverty have flourished as Nigerians don’t hold govt accountable •Our democracy just an improved authoritarianism – NBA scribe
By Ikechukwu Nnochiri
As Nigeria yesterday celebrated its return to Democracy, for the first time on June 12 rather than May 29, senior legal practitioners have assessed Nigeria’s situation since the return to democracy 21 years ago and called for the liberation of the judiciary, insisting that the rule of law is currently on its knees in the country.
The lawyers, comprising of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, in separate interviews with Saturday Vanguard, maintained that the country was yet to adopt or practice true constitutional democracy. One of the SANs went further to suggest a return to a modified parliamentary system as a way forward, insisting that it will serve better in terms of development and Rule of law. While appraising the country’s democratic journey so far vis-a-vis how the judiciary has fared, Mr. Ahmed Raji, SAN, said: “It is a process which no doubt is the longest in our history going by the experience of the first and second Republics. “The presidential system which we claim to practice has come with a baggage of impunity which impacts negatively on infrastructural development and Rule of Law. “Without any hesitation, a return to a modified parliamentary system will serve us better in terms of development and Rule of law. “Under the present system, the Executive and most especially the Governors have become demigods who don’t feel accountable to any authority unlike parliamentary system. “The Legislature are nothing but glorified rubber stamps always looking for a piece of the cake all to the detriment of development and rule of law. “A deadlier blow is what will appear to be a grand conspiracy to cripple the Judiciary to the detriment of Rule of law.
“Democracy is good but with the right vehicle having regards to the environment. In our climate and having regards to our experiences, presidential system is not it”. For constitutional lawyer and human rights activist, Chief Mike Ozekhome, SAN, rule of law is trampled upon in the country because the masses have failed to hold their elected leaders accountable. Ozekhome said he was worried over the way impunity and poverty have continued to flourish under the present democratic dispensation. He alleged that the Executive deliberately used intimidation and harassment to cow the masses and judges. He said: “As Nigeria marks another democracy day. I will say that we have never had it this rough. That is not to say that there is no hope or light at the end of the tunnel. “The biggest problem Nigeria has faced in the past five years is that of poor leadership, particularly at the highest Executive level where the government has failed all its promises to the Nigerian citizenry. “Followed by the twin problems of the civil society, that is the people themselves, not challenging the government, not holding them accountable. This is because everyone is afraid, intimidated and subjugated. That is a big challenge.
