A Biased and Corrupt Judicial System Threatens Nigeria's Stability
By Wisdom Tide
October 30, 2024
Nigeria’s judicial system, long accused of corruption and favoritism, has once again displayed a disturbing level of bias and injustice that cannot go unchallenged. The Federal High Court’s latest rulings have left the public questioning the integrity of a system supposedly tasked with upholding justice. The time has come for the Nigerian people to demand a complete overhaul of this corrupt institution. In the face of growing dissatisfaction, the Promoters of Good Governance, led by Coordinator Edison Ibianga, have sounded the alarm and called for accountability, particularly for judges whose biased decisions have destabilizing consequences.
The judiciary, an arm of government that ought to operate with fairness and transparency, has devolved into one of the most corrupt systems worldwide. Unquestionably, Nigeria’s courts have enabled and emboldened those in power, with judges who appear to be influenced by personal, political, or financial motives rather than impartial justice. Ibianga, in a statement following a critical meeting in Port Harcourt, made it clear that this judicial misconduct could lead to dire economic consequences. If the oil and gas sector is brought to its knees due to militants reacting to biased court decisions, then the judges involved must be held accountable.
A Deeply Troubling Judgement
The recent judgment by Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja, which ordered the suspension of monthly financial allocations to the Rivers State Government, is a prime example of judicial overreach and bias. This ruling, according to Dele Momodu, a prominent chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), raises serious concerns. “I’m not a lawyer,” Momodu said, “but even as a layman, I wish to ask the following questions: a Federal High Court can stop statutory allocations to a state for not following due process, but can the courts also tell us if some legislators who voluntarily sauntered out of their political party can casually return to their forfeited seats without repercussions and penalties?”
Momodu’s questions echo the broader frustrations of the Nigerian public. This selective approach to justice — where certain cases are aggressively pursued while others are ignored — highlights an underlying bias within the judicial system. Nigerians are left to wonder: how can a court strip an entire state of its financial support due to procedural technicalities, yet allow legislators to ignore their own rules without consequence? This selective “justice” is unacceptable and reflects a judiciary that serves those in power rather than the people it was created to protect.
The Call for Accountability
The stakes in this situation are incredibly high. The Nigerian economy heavily relies on the oil and gas sector, and any threat to this sector could cripple the country’s financial stability. With militant groups threatening to target oil and gas facilities in response to what they believe is an unjust court decision, the consequences could be disastrous. Ibianga, speaking on behalf of the Promoters of Good Governance, emphasized that if these militant threats materialize and cause significant economic damage, the judge responsible for this decision must be held accountable. This is not simply a call for reform but a demand for accountability in a system that has long evaded responsibility.
Biased Justice and Its Consequences
Judges who fail to uphold the principles of fairness, integrity, and impartiality are failing in their duty to the Nigerian people. By handing down judgments that prioritize political agendas over justice, these judges are fueling public disillusionment and resentment. And when citizens lose faith in the judiciary, the very foundation of democracy is at risk. Nigeria cannot thrive, nor can it achieve stability, if its people feel that the court system is a tool of oppression rather than a pillar of justice.
The blatant favoritism displayed by the Nigerian judiciary has led to a dangerous erosion of trust. When courts manipulate rulings to favor powerful individuals, as is alleged in this case, they betray the public and tarnish the sanctity of justice. It’s time for Nigerians to stand up and demand that these judicial actors, especially those complicit in corruption, be held accountable for the harm they are causing to the nation.
Double Standards in Nigerian Justice
One of the critical issues that Momodu raises is the double standard applied by the judiciary. While a court can quickly move to strip a state of its monthly financial allocations, it seems hesitant to impose penalties on legislators who abandon their parties and return to office without consequence. Such selective enforcement of the law is not only unfair but also a clear indication of a biased judiciary. When courts ignore certain transgressions while harshly punishing others, they undermine their credibility and make a mockery of the legal system.
Momodu questions whether the judiciary is even interested in addressing this hypocrisy: “Does the law permit any arm of government to grant amnesty to those who have already disqualified themselves with automatic alacrity?” The answer, as many Nigerians see it, is no. The judiciary’s selective approach to justice suggests that it has become a pawn in the political games of the powerful rather than a guardian of the public interest.
Reform is the Only Solution
The need for a complete reformation of the Nigerian judicial system has never been more urgent. As Ibianga stated, the people must demand the sacking of corrupt judges and call for an independent, unbiased judiciary that genuinely serves the Nigerian people. The judiciary must operate above personal gain and political influence, upholding justice and integrity at all costs. Otherwise, Nigeria’s democracy will continue to deteriorate, and the country’s social and economic stability will remain at risk.
The judiciary, as it stands, has become an enabler of corruption, a fact that Nigerians can no longer ignore. The Promoters of Good Governance have called for the public to join them in demanding a complete overhaul of this broken system. Only by holding corrupt judges accountable and instituting a judiciary that upholds fairness can Nigeria hope to achieve the true justice its people deserve.
Conclusion: Time to Demand True Justice
If the Nigerian judiciary continues on this path, the country risks descending further into instability. A judiciary that fails to deliver impartial justice not only undermines democracy but also invites economic ruin. With militant groups threatening to attack vital infrastructure, the consequences of judicial corruption extend beyond mere legal disputes; they threaten the nation’s future.
In light of the threats to the economy and national stability, Nigerians must demand immediate reforms in the judicial system. Those who wield power in the courts must do so responsibly, without succumbing to bribery, bias, or political influence. The judges whose decisions jeopardize Nigeria’s stability should be held accountable for the damage they cause, both economically and socially. Without these reforms, Nigeria will remain hostage to a corrupt judiciary that serves only a privileged few, leaving the rest of the country to suffer the consequences
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