Court Judgment: NHRC Vows to Ensure Reinstatement of Emir of Akko
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) is calling on constituted authorities, organizations and individuals not to disobey court judgments concerning them so as to avoid unnecessary friction that may result in further violation of the law and human rights in the society. This becomes necessary as the Commission has been receiving complaints on disobedience of court order, ruling and judgment by government at all levels. Respect for court decisions is an integral component of Constitutionalism and respect for the Rule of Law.
In the same vein, the Acting Executive Secretary of NHRC, Mrs. Oti Ovrawah has expressed concern over the alleged refusal by Gombe State government to execute court judgments in favour of Emir of Akko in Gombe State, Alhaji Muhammed Baba Ahmed.
Specifically, Talakawan Akko Concerned Group in their complaint to the Chairman, National Judicial Commission (NJC) and copied to the Commission among other 30 individuals and agencies alleged that the Gombe State High Court and the government of Gombe State refused to execute a judgment of the Gombe State High Court and that of the Court of Appeal, Jos division ordering the reinstatement of Alhaji Mohammad Baba Ahmed as the rightful Emir of Akko in Gombe State.
Upon receiving the complaint, the Commission wrote to the Governor of Gombe State, the Hon. Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Gombe State and the Hon. Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice drawing their attention to the complaint, the judgment of the two courts and requesting them to take appropriate steps to comply with the judgments.
Following the aforementioned steps, the Gombe State government complied with the court judgment and thereafter, the Commission received a letter from the complainant, Talakawan Akko Concerned Group expressing their appreciation to the Commission for the steps taken which culminated in the reinstatement of Alhaji Muhammad Baba Ahmed as Emir of Akko, in Akko local government area of Gombe State.
The Commission commends the Gombe State government for this action and enjoins states and the federal government to always comply with court decisions where such decisions were not appealed.
Fatimah Agwai Mohammad
Head Media Relations Unit, NHRC
