Legal practitioner and policy analyst Liborous Oshoma has called for a shift in judicial communication in Nigeria, urging courts to abandon the use of complex Latin expressions in their rulings. He made this assertion during an exclusive interview on ARISE News on Sunday, April 12, 2026, while discussing the ongoing leadership crisis within the African Democratic Congress and its legal battle with the Independent National Electoral Commission.
Oshoma’s remarks came against the backdrop of multiple lawsuits filed by factions within the ADC, including one seeking recognition of former Senate President David Mark as national chairman. The legal disputes have triggered confusion over court interpretations, particularly regarding orders such as “status quo ante bellum.”
Speaking on the broader implications, Oshoma emphasized that the judiciary’s reliance on Latin terminology contributes significantly to public misunderstanding and conflicting interpretations of court rulings.
“So in all of this, the crisis, the problem is I think it is high time in Nigeria that courts should stop using some of these Latin maxims . Make judgments and some of these languages in plain English so that the everyday person can understand. Today, with politics, everybody is almost a lawyer. When judgments are filled with complex expressions, politicians exploit them, creating different interpretations to claim victory. This leads to confusion and undermines clarity. Courts should be as clear as possible to avoid creating room for manipulation and misinterpretation.”
He argued that ambiguous legal language often fuels political tension, as rival factions interpret the same judgment differently to suit their interests. According to him, this has been evident in several intra-party disputes across Nigeria, where opposing groups simultaneously claim legal victory based on varying interpretations of court pronouncements.
Oshoma further noted that the judiciary must prioritize clarity to maintain public trust and ensure that justice is not only done but clearly seen to be done. He stressed that in a politically charged environment, precise and accessible communication from the courts is essential to prevent unnecessary disputes and maintain institutional credibility.
