The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has expressed concern over what it described as a growing trend of disregard for subsisting court orders, urging law enforcement authorities to ensure accountability and uphold the rule of law.
In a statement issued on Monday, Executive Director of RULAAC, Okechukwu Nwanguma, said the organisation was disturbed by what it called an emerging pattern in which some individuals and groups allegedly ignore valid court orders. At the same time, law enforcement agencies appear either unwilling or unable to act promptly to ensure compliance and prevent breaches of the peace.
Nwanguma cited recent developments surrounding a community leadership dispute in Ofekata Orodo Autonomous Community, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, as an example of the trend.
According to him, RULAAC had alerted the Imo State Police Command before the disputed events about credible reports indicating that a subsisting court order was at risk of being violated and that rising tensions in the community could lead to violence if preventive measures were not taken.
He explained that the organisation’s intervention was aimed solely at preserving public peace, preventing violence and promoting respect for the rule of law, stressing that RULAAC had not taken any position on the substantive issues before the court.
Nwanguma, however, noted that despite repeated warnings and continued engagement with the police, the disputed exercise reportedly went ahead, raising concerns over whether adequate steps were taken to uphold the law and protect the authority of the court.
He warned that failure by public authorities to respond impartially to credible reports of impending violations of court orders could erode public confidence in both the justice system and law enforcement agencies.
The RULAAC Executive Director said the Nigeria Police Force has constitutional and statutory responsibilities not only to maintain public order but also to support the administration of justice.
While acknowledging that the police do not enforce civil judgments, he maintained that the force has a responsibility to prevent breaches of the peace and avoid actions or omissions capable of frustrating lawful judicial processes.
Nwanguma cautioned that the perception that influential individuals could disregard court orders without consequences, or with the tacit approval of public officials, posed a serious threat to Nigeria’s constitutional democracy.
He said such a trend encourages impunity, emboldens lawlessness and discourages citizens from seeking lawful resolution of disputes through the courts.
RULAAC therefore called on the Nigeria Police Force to review the handling of recent incidents involving allegations of disobedience to court orders. The organisation urged the police to investigate whether officers acted professionally, impartially and in accordance with the law, and to impose appropriate administrative or disciplinary measures where lapses are established.
The group also appealed to public officials, traditional institutions, community leaders and citizens to recognise that compliance with court orders is mandatory.
Nwanguma stressed that parties dissatisfied with court decisions should seek redress through the appellate process rather than resort to deliberate disobedience, which he described as incompatible with the rule of law.
He further urged all parties involved in disputes pending before the courts to refrain from actions capable of undermining judicial proceedings or eroding public confidence in the administration of justice.
“The rule of law is measured not by the existence of courts alone, but by the willingness of all, including public authorities, to respect and uphold their authority,” Nwanguma said.
