Subject: Reviving Nigeria’s Comatose Justice System

The judiciary is said to be the last hope of the common man. Yes, it used to be so here in Nigeria but very many things have changed. During the era of military dictatorship the nation’s Judiciary stood out as a beacon of hope to assuage the pains of traumatised and victimised Nigerians.
In spite of the risk involved in opposing tyranny, the judiciary challenged improprieties and illegalities.
Our nation’s Judicial system blazed the trail and got global reckoning for its eloquent criticism against tyranny. It inspired courage in many African countries that were also battling with dictatorship.
Despite gruesome killing and incarceration of perceived opponents of the military, the Nigerian Judiciary remained vocal in its condemnation of atrocities and illegalities.
Human rights lawyers like the late Chief Gani Fawhemi, Femi Falana and others held the bull by the horns.
Today, the nation’s Judiciary is a husk of its glorious past. The third arm of government has become a show of shame reminiscent of bludgeoning corruption in the land. Judgements are for sale to the highest bidders.
The integrity of the Judiciary has been whittled down. Courts of coordinate jurisdiction churn out varying decisions in spite of judicial precedents.
It is amazing that some State Chief Judges have shown by their attitude that they do not want independence of the Judiciary. Some of them lied to the public to defend their governors that their judiciaries were already independent. Some of them are blatantly obsequious to their governors, while condoning a decadent judicial system.
Pathetically, some judges have unabashedly gained notoriety in churning out biased judgements.
The number of bootlicker judges is growing by the day. The question is where lies the integrity of the Judiciary?
The pliability of the judicial officers has made the Judiciary to be relegated to the background. A few years ago the nation’s number one judicial officer, the former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen, was removed in the most illegal manner. He was framed up and disgraced out of office. His removal was a testimonial of a decaying justice system. Indeed, justice is a far cry for the masses. If the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen could not get justice, who else can get? The homes and offices of Appeal and Supreme Court judges are invaded with impunity by law enforcement agents yet nothing happens afterwards. When the custodians of propriety and the rule of law are violated what then is the fate of the nation?
The chaos, disorder, insecurities and insurgency we see today are signs of a nation on a precipice.
The way things are, the noose is tightening on the neck of the Judiciary and nobody seems to care a hoot but the effects will be catastrophic.
Unfortunately, justice is for the highest bidder and judgements are being sold yet the society tacitly connives at it.
Regrettably, political leaning has become a major consideration for the appointment of judges at both the federal and state levels. What that means is that the judges are inclined to please their Chief Executive. Consequently, justice is sacrificed on the altar of favouritism.
Nonetheless, injustices fester and breed all manner of atrocities and crimes. It is the society that suffers at the end.
The festering violence in the country today is a resultant of the injustices of yesteryears. The lack of probity and corruption by our leaders have created room for the mess we find today yet our present leaders are still taking liberty for license to loot.
More pathetic is the fact that the society no longer sees anything wrong with presenting a criminal for a political office. The apologists often posit that nobody is clean so anybody can vie. The bleakness of the future of the nation is consequent upon the pliability and docility of the masses.
Former American president, Donald Trump, was hard on the Nigerian youths for cheering those who were exploiting them. The EndSARS protest is genuine demonstration of a collective of a nation irrespective of religion and ethnicity to end evil that plagued. That collectivity can be effectuated in different areas of the national life to achieve a desired goal.
The much needed change can only come when there is a concerted effort by all well meaning Nigerians to salvage our nation from ruin. If we do not, the debris will certainly kick us in the face.
For the country to do well the rule of law must be entrenched and applied without fear or favour.
Again, the independence of Judiciary cannot be over emphasised. When independence is granted to the judiciary coercion and inducements will be reduced to the barest minimum. It is only then that we can have a just society.
Indeed, lawyers and civil society organisations must insist on a given standard for the appointment of judges.
It will be appreciated if worthwhile innovations are made in our judicial system.
All in all, a vibrant judiciary will definitely bail Nigeria out of mediocrity.

By: Chidi Enyie