Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has launched a blistering critique of Nigeria’s judiciary, alleging pervasive corruption and describing the system as a “court of corruption rather than a court of justice.”
In his newly released book, Nigeria: Past and Future, published by the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL), the elder statesman lamented what he called the “steady decline of the judiciary’s integrity,” particularly since the return of democracy in 1999.
“The reputation of the Nigerian judiciary has steadily deteriorated over the four republics. The rapidity of its precipitous fall, especially in the Fourth Republic, is deeply concerning,” Obasanjo wrote.
According to him, justice in Nigeria has become transactional, available only to the highest bidder. He warned that such practices threaten the very foundation of society:
“Where ‘justice’ is only available to the highest bidder, despair, anarchy, and violence replace justice, order, and hope.”
Allegations Against Judges and Politicians
Recounting a visit to a northern state years after leaving office, Obasanjo revealed how a governor pointed out six duplexes allegedly owned by a judge who had chaired election tribunals. He argued that such acquisitions symbolise the deep corruption eating into Nigeria’s justice system.
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He further condemned the recurring practice of falsifying election results to declare losers as winners, only for aggrieved candidates to be told to seek redress in what he described as a compromised judiciary.
“It has become a court of corruption rather than a court of justice,” he declared.
INEC Chairman Under Fire
Obasanjo also accused the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, of undermining electoral integrity since his appointment in 2015.
“No matter the will of the people, the Chairman of INEC since 2015 has elevated his will above theirs. Even worse, corrupt judges – two out of three or three out of five – override the will of millions of voters,” he alleged.
According to him, Yakubu has “polluted and grossly undermined” elections, turning Nigeria’s democracy into a charade.
Buhari’s Alleged Role
The former president did not spare his successor, the late Muhammadu Buhari, accusing him of colluding with the judiciary during election petitions.
“Buhari disregarded all caution. In his election cases, he supplemented financial incentives with appointments for judges, regardless of their age or rank,” Obasanjo wrote.
Call for Urgent Reform
Obasanjo’s revelations highlight the growing distrust in Nigeria’s judicial and electoral institutions. He warned that unless urgent reforms are carried out to restore integrity, the country risks sliding into despair, anarchy, and lawlessness.
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