political activist Zekeri Idris has questioned the legal basis of recent court proceedings involving the National Democratic Congress (NDC), arguing that a court cannot revisit a case after delivering a final judgment.
Speaking in an interview on SYMFONI, Idris said a judge becomes functus officio after issuing a final ruling, meaning the court has exhausted its authority over the matter. He described any attempt to reopen such a case as contrary to established legal principles.
“A judge who has delivered final judgment cannot simply reopen a settled case—it is shocking to the extreme,” Idris said.
He argued there was no legal justification for revisiting a concluded case or allowing a person who was not part of the original suit to intervene after judgment. According to Idris, the proceedings have sparked debate among legal practitioners and the public, raising concerns about judicial credibility, due process and public confidence.
Idris urged judicial authorities to safeguard the independence of the courts, warning that controversial rulings and perceived political influence could undermine trust in Nigeria’s legal system and democratic institutions.
