Former Owan West Chairman, ADC Chieftain Daniel Asekhame Calls for Greater Consistency in Judicial Decisions
Former Chairman of Owan West Local Government Area in Edo State and African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain, Hon. Daniel Asekhame, has expressed concern over what he described as growing public unease regarding conflicting judicial decisions in Nigeria, particularly in politically sensitive cases.
In an opinion article titled “Nigeria’s Judiciary at a Crossroads: When Conflicting Judgments Raise More Questions Than Answers,” Asekhame argued that recent court decisions involving political parties, leadership disputes, candidate nominations and election-related matters have generated widespread debate and raised questions about consistency in the administration of justice.
According to him, differing judgments by courts of coordinate jurisdiction on similar legal issues have created uncertainty among litigants, political parties, legal practitioners and members of the public.
Asekhame noted that the legal doctrine of stare decisis, which requires lower courts to follow binding decisions of higher courts, exists to promote consistency, certainty and predictability in the law.
He stated that whenever judicial decisions appear to depart from established legal principles, they inevitably attract public scrutiny and could weaken public confidence in the justice system.
The former council chairman observed that the Nigerian Bar Association, senior legal practitioners and constitutional scholars have, over the years, advocated greater consistency in judicial decisions and strict adherence to legal precedents, describing legal certainty as essential for democratic governance, economic development and the protection of constitutional rights.
He argued that inconsistent judicial outcomes could create uncertainty for political actors, discourage investment and weaken public trust in institutions expected to serve as impartial arbiters of justice.
While reaffirming the importance of judicial independence, Asekhame maintained that judges also have a responsibility to ensure that their decisions are firmly grounded in the Constitution, established legal principles and the facts presented before the court.
He also highlighted the role of the National Judicial Council (NJC) in maintaining public confidence through effective judicial oversight while safeguarding the independence of the judiciary.
As Nigeria approaches another election cycle, Asekhame urged the courts to uphold the Constitution, apply the law consistently and ensure that justice is not only done but is manifestly seen to be done.
This article is an opinion by Hon. Daniel Asekhame and does not necessarily reflect the editorial position of IBN News.
