A constitutional and human rights lawyer, Tonye Sipoto-Pepple, has cautioned government institutions and public authorities against referring matters already determined by competent courts to administrative or legislative committees, describing the practice as inconsistent with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
Sipoto-Pepple’s remarks follow complaints by some families and individuals who alleged that despite obtaining valid court judgments in their favour over land disputes, the Nigeria Police referred their cases to a committee established by the Obio/Akpor Local Government Area. Others also claimed that after securing court judgments, their cases were later referred to the Rivers State House of Assembly Committee on Public Complaints and Petitions.
Speaking on the issue, Sipoto-Pepple said the 1999 Constitution places a duty on all authorities and persons in Nigeria to enforce and give effect to the decisions of competent courts. He noted that this constitutional obligation extends to the executive, legislature, local governments, ministries, departments, agencies, committees and all public officers.
He stressed that any person or institution dissatisfied with a court judgment should seek redress through the appropriate appellate process rather than attempting to circumvent the decision through administrative or legislative action.
Also speaking, constitutional and human rights lawyer Kingsley Ihunwo acknowledged that some land grabbers sometimes exploit illegal means to encroach on portions of land beyond what was awarded to them by the courts. However, he maintained that such grievances should be resolved through the judicial process and not by administrative or legislative committees.
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