UNODC report: Former Ilorin NBA scribe raises alarm over corruption in Nigeria’s judiciary

The immediate past secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ilorin branch, Taofiq Olateju, has raised concerns about corruption and lack of independence in the country’s judiciary, calling for urgent reforms to restore public trust in the justice system.

During a courtesy visit in Ilorin, Kwara State, Olateju said the judiciary is facing significant challenges, including alleged corruption and misuse of courts to suppress dissent.

Olateju cited findings by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which indicate that Nigeria’s judiciary is widely perceived as highly corrupt, particularly in high-profile cases.

He said the findings are supported by data from the National Bureau of Statistics, which show that judges and magistrates reportedly receive higher average bribes than other public officials, including police and customs officers.

According to the report, Nigerians paid an estimated 721 billion naira in cash bribes to public officials in 2023.

Focusing on Kwara State, Olateju expressed concern over the judiciary’s financial dependence on the executive arm of government. He said courts rely on the same executive and legislative institutions they are constitutionally mandated to check, raising questions about impartiality and true judicial independence.

He also alleged that the legal system is increasingly being used against individuals who criticize the government. Critics, activists, journalists and opposition figures, he said, face legal actions on charges such as criminal defamation, injurious falsehood, inciting public disturbance and cyberbullying.

Olateju noted that criminal defamation is no longer a criminal offense in Lagos and Edo states, where it is treated as a civil matter, a development he said has helped strengthen press freedom.

He added that such cases, when tried under the criminal justice system, are often marked by delays and what he described as selective justice, creating a climate of fear and discouraging free expression.

Despite these challenges, Olateju acknowledged that some judges continue to demonstrate integrity and deliver justice without fear or favor, even in cases involving the government.

He warned that continued dependence of the judiciary on the executive and legislative arms of government allows for excessive control in many states and undermines the rule of law.

Olateju called for full financial autonomy for the judiciary at both state and federal levels, saying only an independent system can effectively safeguard citizens’ rights.

He cautioned that failure to address these issues could erode public confidence, stressing that a judiciary meant to protect citizens must not become a tool for silencing them.