The Nigerian Bar Association has sounded the alarm on judicial corruption, with NBA President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), calling it a “democratic emergency” threatening the rule of law.
Speaking at the Ralph Opara Memorial Lecture in Enugu, themed “Judicial Corruption in Nigeria: A Menace to Democracy and Social Justice”, Osigwe said bribery and undue influence increasingly affect court judgments, undermining public trust in Nigeria’s legal system.
“The temple of justice must be cleansed so that the rule of law prevails over the rule of money”, he stressed, urging urgent reforms to strengthen judicial integrity and accountability.
His comments sparked a range of reactions from the legal community. While some lawyers agreed that corruption is a challenge, others cautioned against broad generalizations. They argued that accusing judges collectively without evidence could tarnish the reputation of hardworking judicial officers, adding that many judges remain honest, and poor rulings are often the result of heavy caseloads rather than bribery.
Despite differing views, Osigwe emphasized that addressing corruption in the judiciary is critical to safeguarding democracy, ensuring social justice, and restoring confidence in Nigeria’s legal system.
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