The Worldwide United Forum for Igbo Patriots and Aborigines (WUFIPA) has strongly criticised the federal government’s decision to assign Justice Emeka Nwite to preside over the corruption trial of former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami.
In a statement issued on Monday, the group described the appointment as a “subtle form of political blackmail” allegedly intended to create discord between the South-East and Northern regions of Nigeria.
WUFIPA raised concerns over what it described as an imbalance in recent appointments under the administration of President Bola Tinubu. According to the group, there is a perceived pattern of placing individuals from the South-West, particularly the “Lagos Axis,” in key positions across the judiciary and executive arms of government.
The organisation argued that the decision to appoint a South-Eastern judge to oversee a sensitive corruption trial involving a prominent Northern political figure is inconsistent and provocative.
“We view this selection as a calculated attempt to create resentment between the Igbo tribe and our Northern brothers,” said Rev. Dr Onyekachukwu Edwin ChukwudireObi, founder of WUFIPA. “When it comes to ‘juicy appointments,’ the South-East is often marginalised, yet a son of the soil is handpicked to handle a case that carries significant regional sentiment and tension.”
Citing concerns over social, political, and economic harmony between the South-East and the North, WUFIPA called for a change in the presiding judge. The group warned that such an arrangement could expose Igbo communities living in the North to renewed hostilities, referencing past incidents of ethnic tension.
WUFIPA outlined specific demands, including a call for Justice Emeka Nwite to recuse himself from the Malami trial to avoid any perception of regional bias or engineered conflict. The group also urged the Tinubu administration to demonstrate fairness and balance in its overall appointment strategy, rather than, in its view, assigning South-Easterners primarily to controversial and high-risk cases.
The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to protecting Igbo interests while promoting national unity. It stressed that judicial assignments in high-profile corruption cases should be handled with sensitivity to Nigeria’s diverse ethnic composition to prevent long-term resentment among ethnic groups.
The statement was signed by Rev. Dr Onyekachukwu Edwin ChukwudireObi, Founder of the Worldwide United Forum for Igbo Patriots and Aborigines (WUFIPA).
