By Joyce Ekeh
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has warned that judicial corruption poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy and the rule of law, urging the National Judicial Council (NJC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to take decisive action against judicial officers credibly implicated in corrupt practices.
The association said the recent warning by retired Supreme Court Justice Amina Adamu Augie that corruption was turning Nigerian courts into “market stalls” underscored the urgent need for comprehensive reforms and stronger accountability mechanisms within the judiciary.
In a press statement signed by its National Coordinator, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, HURIWA said the growing perception that justice could be bought threatened public confidence in the courts and weakened the foundations of constitutional democracy.
The association warned that the erosion of trust in the judiciary could have serious implications for national stability, particularly as Nigeria approaches another election cycle.
According to HURIWA, citizens who lose confidence in the courts as impartial arbiters of disputes may increasingly resort to self-help, potentially aggravating political tensions, social divisions and threats to public order.
“No democracy can sustainably survive when its citizens lose confidence in the institutions responsible for protecting their rights, resolving disputes and holding public officials accountable,” the association said.
HURIWA demands urgent action by NJC
HURIWA called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria, in his capacity as Chairman of the NJC, to establish a transparent, time-bound mechanism for reviewing corruption complaints against judicial officers and referring credible allegations of criminal conduct to the appropriate anti-graft agencies.
The association stressed that while the NJC has constitutional and administrative responsibilities over judicial discipline, those powers should not be used to shield suspected offenders from lawful criminal investigation and prosecution.
It urged the council to ensure that allegations involving suspected bribery, abuse of office, illicit enrichment and other criminal offences are referred promptly to the EFCC or ICPC where the evidence warrants such action.
HURIWA maintained that internal disciplinary proceedings must complement, rather than obstruct, legitimate criminal investigations and prosecutions.
The association also called on the EFCC and ICPC to discharge their statutory responsibilities without fear or favour, insisting that the prestige and influence associated with judicial office must not prevent the lawful investigation of credible corruption allegations.
It cautioned, however, that anti-corruption investigations must not become instruments of intimidation against independent judges or provide opportunities for politically motivated attacks on the judiciary.
Judicial independence must not shield corruption
HURIWA emphasised that every judicial officer accused of wrongdoing remains entitled to due process, a fair hearing and the presumption of innocence.
The association said the objective of anti-corruption efforts should be to investigate credible allegations, establish the facts and ensure that proven offenders face the consequences prescribed by law.
It argued that judicial independence and accountability are complementary principles, noting that independence should protect judges from improper interference rather than provide cover for corruption.
The group further called for stronger safeguards against the manipulation of court proceedings, deliberate delays in the administration of justice, the alleged sale of favourable judgments and other practices capable of turning the judicial system into an instrument of privilege and oppression.
According to HURIWA, restoring confidence in the judiciary will require more than public declarations or institutional assurances. It said meaningful progress depends on credible investigations, timely disciplinary decisions, transparent accountability and prosecution where the evidence supports criminal charges.
Calls for wider judicial reforms
Beyond the prosecution of alleged offenders, HURIWA said structural weaknesses within Nigeria’s justice system also require urgent attention.
The association identified prolonged litigation, the high cost of accessing justice, inadequate funding and undue political interference as factors that can compound public frustration and undermine confidence in the courts.
It urged the relevant authorities to strengthen judicial financial autonomy, modernise case-management systems and improve access to affordable and timely justice.
However, HURIWA stressed that these challenges must not be used to excuse bribery, abuse of office or other forms of professional misconduct.
The association said judges occupy positions of exceptional public trust and must be held to high standards of integrity, impartiality and accountability.
It also called on members of the legal profession and relevant judicial institutions to demonstrate zero tolerance for proven corruption, irrespective of the status, rank or political connections of those involved.
HURIWA warns of threat to democracy
The association warned that failure to address judicial corruption could have far-reaching consequences for Nigeria’s democratic future.
It said a judiciary that citizens no longer trust may struggle to resolve political disputes peacefully, protect fundamental rights effectively and secure public acceptance of its judgments.
Such a development, HURIWA argued, could further weaken the rule of law and deepen the country’s governance challenges.
The association therefore urged the NJC to act with urgency, the anti-graft agencies to investigate credible allegations professionally and the wider legal community to support transparent accountability mechanisms.
HURIWA maintained that confronting judicial corruption is essential to preserving the legitimacy of the courts and ensuring that Nigerians continue to have confidence in the justice system.
It called on the relevant institutions to demonstrate through concrete action that no individual is above the law and that allegations of corruption within the judiciary will receive the same seriousness expected of investigations involving other public institutions.
