– In Nigeria, once hailed as the Giant of Africa, a silent crisis is unfolding—not of guns or bombs, but of trust, justice, and democratic integrity. The judiciary, meant to be the bedrock of fairness and the guardian of the rule of law, is perceived to be crumbling under the weight of executive influence and corruption.

A Nation in Peril
At the Haske Satumari Foundation’s annual colloquium in Abuja last Saturday, former President Goodluck Jonathan issued a sobering warning that highlighted Nigeria’s judicial crisis.

Addressing a gathering focused on social development, he declared: “No investor will risk their capital in a country where the judiciary is compromised, where officials of the executive are seen to be influencing judicial decisions. Anyone who does so is taking an enormous gamble.

“The truth is that our actions within the system will always have consequences—either positively shaping our country or leading to its downfall. If we genuinely wish to build a prosperous, just, and peaceful nation where all citizens can thrive, we must do the right thing.

“Whether you are the President, a Governor, a Lawmaker, a Minister, or a Judge, you have a responsibility. If we truly want to build a nation that future generations will be proud of, integrity must guide our decisions.”

Speaking in a similar vein, former President Olusegun Obasanjo declared that courts are being used as a tool to deny justice rather than uphold it. The ex-president who spoke last Monday in Abuja at the 60th birthday anniversary colloquium of former Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha lamented the common refrain of “go to court” when citizens seek redress, despite the prevailing lack of confidence in the judiciary.

“You will say, ‘go to court’ when you know that you can’t get justice”, he said “On his part, the Archbishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese and a member of the Justice Uwais Electoral Reform panel, Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, said the Nigerian judiciary is entangled in politics.

Speaking at the 8th House of Justice Summit held in Kaduna sometime ago with the theme: ‘Electoral Accountability and Democratic Stability’. Bishop Kukah called on the judiciary to redeem its image by dispensing justice without fear or favour.“At a recent event in Abuja, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, also expressed deep concern over persistent allegations of corruption, judicial delays, and bias that continue to plague the country’s judiciary.

The CJN said that despite the judiciary leadership’s ongoing reform efforts to clean up the system, some of the allegations persist. She stated that some of these issues would affect public trust in the judicial system. ““Despite our collective efforts, challenges persist; allegations of corruption, delays in the dispensation of justice, and perceptions of bias or inefficiency remain issues of concern. “The onus is, therefore, on us to confront these challenges head-on and reaffirm our commitment to judicial excellence. Without public confidence, the judiciary’s moral authority is diminished, and its ability to discharge its constitutional mandate is impaired”, she said.

Nigerians are grappling with a judiciary increasingly seen as a tool of political manipulation, where courts determine party leadership, election results, and fundamental issues.



https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/03/how-judiciary-is-threatening-our-democracy-prosperity/