Nigerian Judicial Decadence : A Call For Urgent Reforms
The Judiciary, once the beacon of hope for the common man in Nigeria, has been reduced to a mere shadow of its past glowing image. The recent vow coming from the National Judicial Council (NJC) to henceforth punish erring judges, particularly those compromising justice due to financial inducements is a stark admission of the deep-seated rot that has permeated the institution. It is a sad state of affairs when the judiciary, an arm of government responsible for upholding the rule of law, finds itself in such an unfortunate situation.
The phrase, “The Judiciary is no longer the hope of the common man, but for the highest bidder” has become a harsh reality that can no longer be ignored. The public perception of the judiciary is one of corruption, bias and a willingness to sell justice to the highest bidder. This perception is not unfounded, as cases of judicial misconducts and corruption continue to plague the system.
The consequences of a compromised judiciary are far-reaching. It undermines the rule of law, erodes public trust, and denies Nigerians access to justice. The poor and vulnerable are the most affected, as they lack the financial muscle to compete with the wealthy and powerful. The failure of Judiciary to deliver justice has far-reaching implications in the development of the country, as investors are wary of a system that is perceived to be corrupt and unpredictable.
The decision of the NJC to sanction erring judges is a step in the right direction, but it is not enough. There is the need for a more comprehensive approach to address the systemic rot plaguing the Judiciary. The Judiciary must be reformed to ensure that it is independent, impartial and accountable. This can be achieved through a thorough overhaul of the system, including the appointment process, disciplinary mechanisms and funding.
First, it should be adequately funded to ensure that it has the necessary resources to function effectively. Again , there is the urgent need to institutionalize continuous training and capacity building for judges and judicial staff to enhance their competence and integrity. Transparency and accountability mechanisms should also be put in place to investigate and discipline judges who engage in misconducts.
The situation calls for urgent attention from all relevant stakeholders, including the Executive, Legislature and civil society organisations. There is the need for a collective effort to restore the judiciary to its former glory and ensure that justice is served fairly and impartially. The success or failure of Democracy in Nigeria depends on the impartiality of the Judiciary in the country.
Nigerians and, indeed residents in the country, deserve an impartial Judiciary that would be trusted to despence justice without any iota of doubt in the system; a system that serves the interest of justice, not the interest of the highest bidder. The time for reform is now, not later !
