Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has leveled strong accusations against the Nigerian judiciary, alleging widespread corruption, bias, and a growing disconnect between legal processes and true justice.
Speaking at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Bwari Branch Law Week in Abuja, El-Rufai warned that public confidence in the judiciary is rapidly eroding due to frequent delays in delivering justice and court decisions that appear to be influenced by external forces.
“Our judiciary, which should serve as the foundation of fairness and order, is now under serious scrutiny,” he said. “Concerns about delayed justice, inefficiencies, and in some instances, judicial compromise are steadily undermining public trust.”
El-Rufai also criticized the increasing use of ex parte orders in political cases, accusing some lawyers of exploiting legal processes for partisan interests. He decried practices such as forum shopping and the strategic use of court orders to influence political outcomes, warning that such trends have given rise to the belief that justice is a privilege reserved for the wealthy and powerful.
“The perception that justice is for sale and that Nigerian courts are more focused on administering the law rather than delivering justice is deeply troubling,” he stated.
He further expressed concern over what he described as judicial subservience to the executive branch, arguing that the judiciary has lost its independence and is increasingly swayed by political influence.
“In Nigeria, there is a widening chasm between law and justice. Justice is not only elusive, but the law itself appears to be applied based on the preferences of the Executive,” El-Rufai asserted.
Calling for urgent reform, the former governor urged members of the legal profession to reflect critically on their responsibilities and renew their commitment to the principles of justice and integrity.
