According to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leadership in Lagos State, Nigeria’s judiciary has been compromised, has lost the public’s trust, and is no longer seen as a source of hope.
These are not the best of times for the Nigerian judiciary, according to PDP leaders who convened at the Ikoyi office of Chief Olabode George, the party’s leader in Lagos State.
Reading the meeting’s communiqué, which was signed by 33 party leaders in the state, including Dr. Charles Akintoye, Senator Kofoworola Bucknor Akerele, Chief (Mrs.) Onikepo Oshodi, and others Millions of Nigerians find insulting what is coming out of the world’s most populous black nation’s third branch of government, according to Chief George.
“And when the judiciary is compromised, one way or the other, in a democratic system, then democracy is gone” he said.
Chief George said, “Many Nigerians believe that members of the executive and legislature are already living on a different planet. So, they see the judiciary as the last ‘Estate’ standing in the ‘Realm’.’’
He also mentioned that there are still hundreds of judges in Nigeria who defend the integrity of the legal system. He said that Nigerians continue to have faith in these judges because they not only render decisions but also administer justice.
George claimed that inconsistent and contradictory rulings by a small number of judges caused the judiciary to lose its trust.
“The belief of many Nigerians in the judiciary is understandably shaken. And this is worrisome because if the people don’t believe in the third arm of government anymore, anarchy looms.
“Today many Nigerians point to some corrupt judges who escape unscathed to enjoy their ill-gotten wealth because the system is weak or compromised to do proper investigation.’’