The Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Enugu, Rev. Samuel Ike, has issued a strong appeal to Nigeria’s judiciary, urging it to end the trend of conflicting court judgments and promote clarity and consistency in judicial pronouncements.
Speaking during the 2nd Session of the 19th Synod of the Diocese in Enugu, Bishop Ike highlighted the growing public frustration and confusion resulting from contradictory legal rulings, which he said were undermining the integrity and credibility of the justice system.
“The judiciary should ensure it is frank, plain and simple in its use of language in delivering judgments.
If need be, the certified true copies of judgments should be translated into the three major Nigerian languages to improve understanding among the populace,” he said.
He stressed that such inconsistency in court decisions often leaves litigants interpreting the same judgment in different ways, thereby weakening public confidence in the judiciary.
The Bishop also made a direct appeal to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, calling on her to preserve the sanctity and integrity of the courts as the final arbiter of justice.
“The judiciary should ensure it is frank, plain and simple in its use of language in delivering judgments. If need be, the certified true copies of judgments should be translated into the three major Nigerian languages to improve understanding among the populace,” he said.
He warned that judicial ambiguity not only fuels misinterpretation but also deepens public discontent, stressing that the courts must rise to their constitutional role as guardians of the rule of law.
Turning to broader national concerns, Bishop Ike expressed serious concern over worsening insecurity and the rising cost of living across Nigeria.
He called on President Bola Tinubu to act with greater urgency and political will in tackling these escalating crises.
“Mr. President must remember the hope he promised to renew. Time is running out,” he cautioned.
He pointed to the growing anxiety over resurgent violence, soaring food prices, and harsh living conditions, which continue to dominate public discourse.
The bishop also raised alarm over allegations of nepotism, comparing current trends to the failings of previous administrations.
Bishop Ike renewed his call for comprehensive reforms in Nigeria’s electoral and constitutional systems, and once again emphasized the need for State Police to help address security challenges at the local level.
While he acknowledged certain efforts by the current administration, including the ambitious Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, Bishop Ike emphasized that attention must also be paid to repairing existing infrastructure.
“We need to fix our existing roads even as we embark on new ones. Infrastructure is key to national development,” he said.
He urged Nigeria’s leaders to prioritize transformational policies that benefit ordinary citizens, rather than ones that only serve the interests of a privileged few.
In his remarks, Bishop Ike encouraged both political and judicial leaders to return to the core values of justice, fairness, and people-focused governance, warning that Nigeria’s future depends on the choices made today.
