When a retiring Supreme Court Justice declares that the judiciary he served for decades has become “something else,” the nation ought to pause. When a sitting President publicly admits that justice is widely believed to be for sale, that pause must become a full-scale national reckoning.
In just one year, Nigeria has heard two damning confessions from the highest levels of the judicial and political establishment—Justice Musa Dattijo Muhammad’s scorching 2023 valedictory speech, and President Bola Tinubu’s recent remark that corruption in the judiciary threatens the nation “at its core.” These warnings mirror the fears of millions who now view the courts not as the last hope of the common man but as battlegrounds where political power is negotiated.
Across the federation, concerns over compromised judgments, political interference, and financial dependence on the executive have grown into a full-blown crisis of confidence. Senior lawyers, activists, former judicial officers, and public analysts have dissected the roots of the decay and reached a sobering consensus: the survival of Nigeria’s democracy hangs on the integrity of its courts.
‘Urgent reforms needed’
Murtala Abubakar, President of the Arewa Defence League, described Tinubu’s comment as a “timely but troubling” confirmation of Nigeria’s worst fears. He insisted that judicial financial autonomy, transparent appointments, lifestyle audits, and strict sanctions for erring judges—and for politicians who attempt to influence them—must form the backbone of an urgent reform agenda.
‘Corruption is deeper than the courts’
Mr. Anthony N.Z. Sani, former ACF Secretary General, argued that corruption in Nigeria is cultural, not merely institutional. According to him, “the courts have become spider webs that catch only small flies.” He believes any meaningful reform must begin with a societal reorientation that stops glamorizing ill-gotten wealth.
‘Judiciary must purge its rotten eggs’
Legal practitioner Iniruo Wills described it as “naive” to expect the executive to guarantee judicial independence. He insists the judiciary must lead its own cleansing by confronting internal decay instead of remaining silent while public confidence collapses.
Executive financial control cripples the courts
Former Akwa Ibom Attorney-General, Uwemedimo Nwoko, insisted that the executive’s domination of judicial funding violates constitutional provisions and strangles independence. He said the system is “cancerous,” with lawyers, politicians, and judges often playing complicit roles.
Systemic rot requires systemic reform
Retired Delta customary court president Miakpor Emiaso warned that the judiciary is simply a reflection of a corrupt society. She argued that lasting change requires rebuilding societal values from the ground up.
Appointment power must be taken from politicians
Former NBA Secretary, Polycarp Aande, said the judiciary cannot be independent as long as the executive controls judicial appointments and funding. He called for strict boundaries between all three arms of government.
Stakeholders must act—not just talk
Minority rights activist Eric Omare noted that judicial independence is achievable only if senior legal bodies collectively insist on it, adding that stakeholders have not been “firm enough” in resisting executive interference.
Other experts echo urgent warnings
From environmentalist Alagoa Morris to CLO chairman David West, activists and analysts stressed that:
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Judges must reject gifts from the executive,
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The NJC must become more transparent and decisive,
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Politicians must stop compromising judicial officers, and
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Public trust must be rebuilt through accountability and reforms.
‘The judiciary must reinvent itself’
Elder Joseph Ambakederimo lamented the long-standing cycle of conferences, speeches, and inaction. He warned that the nation risks an “albatross” if welfare, autonomy, and ethics are not urgently addressed.
‘The survival of democracy depends on justice’
Across all perspectives, one truth stands tall: the judiciary is the moral and democratic backbone of Nigeria. If justice continues to be perceived as a commodity for the highest bidder, the very foundation of the nation risks collapse.