Banner Online News

By Sir Frank Odion Apokwu

The recent revelations that Justice Eberechi Wike, wife of Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, holds American citizenship have stirred a storm within the legal and judicial establishment. The matter goes beyond mere politics or gossip — it strikes at the very foundation of judicial integrity and constitutional fidelity.

At the heart of the controversy lies Section 28 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which explicitly prohibits public officers from pledging allegiance to any foreign power. The rationale is simple yet profound: those entrusted with the interpretation and defence of Nigeria’s laws must owe exclusive loyalty to the Nigerian state. The judiciary, being the last bastion of justice and public trust, cannot afford divided allegiance.

If it is indeed true that Justice Wike retained American citizenship while serving as a judge without disclosure, this represents a grave breach of public trust. Concealment of such dual allegiance cannot be dismissed as a trivial oversight. It undermines not only the sanctity of the judicial oath but also the moral foundation of the bench itself.

The National Judicial Council (NJC), constitutionally empowered to discipline erring judicial officers, now finds itself at a crossroads. Reports of internal divisions within the Council over how to handle the matter are troubling. The NJC’s credibility — and, by extension, that of the entire judiciary — depends on its willingness to act decisively and transparently. Silence or hesitation in the face of clear constitutional contradiction would be a disservice to the Nigerian people.

A judge’s duty is not just to interpret the law but to embody the moral authority of the state. Divided loyalty erodes that authority. When a judicial officer secretly maintains allegiance to another country, it casts a long shadow over every judgment delivered and every principle pronounced from the bench.

Justice must not only be done; it must be seen to be done — and those who dispense it must be beyond reproach. If Justice Eberechi Wike’s dual citizenship is confirmed, constitutional propriety demands her immediate removal. Anything less would amount to tacit approval of ethical compromise and a dangerous precedent for Nigeria’s justice system.

The judiciary stands or falls on trust. That trust cannot coexist with divided allegiance. In this case, the Constitution speaks clearly — and the path of honour is equally clear.

* Sir Frank Odion Apokwu, LLB, FNIM, FSM, FIMC, CMC, is a Management Consultant, Public Affairs Analyst, Commentator, Democratic Reforms and Inclusive Development Advocate. He writes from Asaba.