The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused unnamed government agents of attempting to pressure Justice Nwite to withdraw from an ongoing court case involving Nafiu Bala Gombe.
In a statement on Wednesday, ADC spokesman Bolaji Abdullahi alleged that some individuals within government were working behind the scenes to halt the case under the current judge.
“The ADC has uncovered a disturbing plot by desperate forces within the corridors of power to frustrate the course of justice by mounting pressure on Justice Nwite to step aside from the case so that it can be reassigned to judges perceived to be pliable and politically compliant,” the statement said.
The party warned that any removal of the judge could undermine judicial independence and erode public confidence in the courts.
ADC said its legal team had learned that although the Certified True Copy of the Supreme Court judgment had not yet been officially released to the trial court, the matter was still scheduled for hearing before Justice Nwite on May 8, 2026.
According to the party, there were attempts by some actors to have the judge withdraw so the case could be reassigned to another judge believed to be more favourable to political interests.
“Any attempt to remove the case from Justice Nwite, whether by administrative manipulation, intimidation, blackmail, or coordinated pressure, amounts to a deliberate interference in the due administration of justice,” Abdullahi said.
The party also stated that judicial recusal should not be politicised and warned against what it described as the search for friendly courts and compliant judges.
ADC called on the National Judicial Council, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, and members of the judiciary to safeguard the judicial process from external influence.
The party further warned that Nigeria’s democracy could be at risk if the judiciary is subjected to political manipulation.
