INDEPENDENCE OF THE JUDICIARY AND ITS EFFECTS ON ADJUDICATION OF ELECTORAL DISPUTES IN NIGERIA SINCE 1999

Abstract

The independence of the judiciary and its effects on judicial adjudication of electoral disputes in Nigeria since 1999 has not been satisfactory. Nigeria as a country has a chequered history of judicial adjudication of electoral disputes. This study considered the independence of the Judiciary and its effect on judicial adjudication of electoral disputes in Nigeria since 1999. The study identified the legal framework that provided for the independence of the judiciary in Nigeria since 1999. The study also identified and analyzed the problems and impediments militating against the independence of the judiciary in Nigeria since 1999. The study further identified and analyzed how the independence of the judiciary in Nigeria has affected and impacted on judicial adjudication of electoral disputes in Nigeria since 1999. The study adopted the doctrinal method of legal research by examining and analyzing constitutions, statutes, books, opinion of authors, journals, dictionaries, conference papers, dailies, periodicals, websites etc and also drew inference from some selected reported election petition cases since 1999 to buttress the effect of independence of the judiciary on judicial adjudication of electoral disputes in Nigeria. The study concluded and recommended that there is the need to ensure unhindered independence to the judiciary in Nigeria. The legal framework should be amended to provide full autonomy/administrative independence to the judiciary in Nigeria, the procedure for appointment of Judges should be reviewed, there should be judicial activism on the bench and provision of modern ICT tools for optimal performance of the judiciary in judicial adjudication of electoral disputes in Nigeria.