The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, HURIWA, has attributed judicial corruption to undue influence exerted by the executive branch on the judiciary.
HURIWA said this while citing a recent development where the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Minister, Nyesom Wike, announced plans to build 40 houses for justices of the Court of Appeal, Federal High Court, and other senior judicial officers.
President Bola Tinubu had approved the construction of the houses, which includes retirement homes for the Chief Judges of the Federal High Court, FCT, and the President of the Court of Appeal.
HURIWA condemned this move, labeling it a blatant example of the executive’s political capture of the judiciary.
“This is a dangerous precedent. When judges are gifted lands and houses by the executive, a conflict of interest compromises their independence. The allocation of Abuja lands as political patronage to judges is a trap designed to ensure their loyalty to the executive,” HURIWA warned in a statement signed by Emmanuel Onwubiko, its National Coordinator.
HURIWA called on the National Assembly to urgently pass legislation prohibiting judges from receiving such perks from the executive.
The group stressed that the judiciary’s independence is non-negotiable and must be fiercely protected to uphold the rule of law in Nigeria.
“The National Assembly must act to protect our democracy. We need laws that prevent judges from accepting gifts like land allocations from the executive. These gifts are not acts of generosity; they are political tools meant to manipulate the judiciary,” HURIWA said.
The rights group also highlighted other recent examples of judicial interference in democratic processes, including the manipulation of internal party affairs and the issuance of conflicting rulings by courts of concurrent jurisdiction.
HURIWA argued that this action undermine democracy and weaken the rule of law.
“We have witnessed courts interfering in the internal affairs of political parties, issuing conflicting rulings that throw the political system into chaos. This cannot continue. The judiciary should be the last hope of the common man, not a tool for politicians to disrupt governance and elections,” the statement read.
HURIWA called on the newly appointed Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to immediately restore public confidence in the judiciary.
“The CJN must act swiftly to stem the tide of corruption and bribery within the judiciary. If these actions go unchecked, they will lead to the total collapse of our democratic system. We are at a critical moment where the survival of Nigeria’s constitutional democracy depends on the judiciary’s integrity,” HURIWA stated.
The group warned that if no action is taken, the judiciary risks becoming completely subservient to political interests, effectively destroying the foundation of Nigeria’s democratic order.
