The Labour Party presidential candidate in the last general election, Peter Obi, has congratulated Nigeria for winning the case against Process & Industrial Developments (P&ID) Limited in the United Kingdom.
The former Anambra State governor also used the opportunity to urge the Nigerian judiciary to uphold the rule of law in the face of numerous cases putting its integrity to the test.
“I congratulate our dear nation, Nigeria, especially the legal team that handled the major judiciary victory recorded at the United Kingdom Court on Monday in the case against Process & Industrial Developments (P&ID) Limited,” Obi said.
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“Thankfully, the case was decided in the United Kingdom, a nation known for its respect for the rule of law and where the judiciary delivers justice freely and fairly to the people. This, therefore, offers veritable lessons to Nigerians in general, and our judiciary in particular.”
Obi, who had earlier appealed to the Supreme Court to save Nigeria’s democracy through transparency ruling in the ongoing case challenging the victory of President Bola Tinubu, said democracy can only thrive when the rule of law is upheld.
“Every lawful society is built on a strong system of justice and every democratic society exists on the principle of the rule of law,” he said.
The Supreme Court is billed to rule on the appeals by both Obi and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on Thursday, October 26.
The bone of contention is the identity crisis of President Tinubu, his alleged forged certificate from Chicago State University, and the election he’s accused of stealing.
Using the UK court as an example, Obi said; “In handling the identity crisis, electoral disputes, and many high corruption cases that have bedeviled our nation, the judiciary has a bounding duty to protect our dear nation’s value system.”
The P&ID case has been a long-standing legal battle for Nigeria, culminating in a favorable outcome. However, it has also spotlighted other financial irregularities that have allegedly gone unaccounted for within Nigeria, with those responsible often escaping consequences.
“Nigeria won its bid to overturn an $11 billion damages bill involving the controversial P&ID deal, yet similar, or even greater amounts, have gone unaccounted for in Nigeria, and the culprits are freely walking the streets,” Obi said.
He urged public office holders, in different arms of government, to “understand that we have no other nation but Nigeria” and we all, “are bound to work together for the development of our nation.”
“As we have gladly received justice in a foreign land, may we learn to give justice to our countrymen so that our nation can enjoy peace, progress, and unity. A truly just and fair New Nigeria is possible if our judiciary embraces the spirit and message of change,” he said.