NBA and Spaces for Change Address Judicial Repression

The Nigerian Bar Association's Enugu branch and the civil society organization Spaces for Change have expressed alarm over the increasing use of the judiciary to suppress civic space in Nigeria and West Africa. During a two-day training for judges and state prosecutors in Enugu, Vice Chairman Perpetual Chime-Okpara stated that civic space is essential for democratic governance and that fundamental rights must not be arbitrarily restricted, even during crises.

A report by Executive Director Victoria Ibezim-Ohaeri revealed a nearly 700 percent rise in judicially enabled repression incidents, from nine cases between 2017 and 2022 to 70 cases from 2022 to 2024. Tactics identified include politically motivated charges and prolonged pre-trial detentions, with specific cases such as Nnamdi Emeh and Emmanuel Acha highlighted.

The stakeholders called for urgent judicial reform, independent oversight, and anti-SLAPP legislation to protect civic actors.