A NATION’s justice system is the cornerstone of its stability, security, and progress. It ensures that individuals are held accountable for their actions, protects the rights of citizens, and maintains social order. No nation can survive a sick, corrupt and weak justice system. The moment members of the society lose confidence in the system of administration of justice, a descent to anarchy begins. Anarchy in society breeds insecurity and a country that is not secure will not attract investment.
Our current system favours the bad and the ugly. It enables human rights abuses, including arbitrary arrests, torture, and extrajudicial killings. According to Hon. Justice Mohammed Uwais, former Chief Justice of Nigeria, “a corrupt judge is more harmful in a society than a man who runs amok with a dagger in a crowded street.” Corrupt justice system encourages impunity, perpetuating cycles of violence and abuse. Victims are denied justice, and perpetrators are emboldened, creating a culture of fear and silence. It drives talented individuals away, leading to brain drain and loss of expertise. This is exactly what we have experienced in Nigeria for decades now. Professionals, seek environments where their rights are protected, and they can operate freely. This deprives Nigeria of essential skills, ideas, and innovations.
A corrupt justice system erodes trust in government institutions, leading to widespread disillusionment and mistrust among citizens. The current state of Nigeria reflects her weak and corrupt justice system – various agitations, social unrest, violent conflicts and a prevalent tendency to self-help – are evidences that show the failure of our justice system. From the police to court and prison, the system is laced with corruption.
Torture by police is presumed a normal routine and widespread. Confessions are extracted by torture, and these are used as evidence in trials, rather than professional investigation and scientific or forensic evidence. The prison conditions are dehumanising, harsh and egregious, such that every past government had no option but to acknowledge them, and has pledged many times that it will reform the system, and yet nothing to show.
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A larger percentage of inmates have never been convicted of any crime, with some awaiting trial for up to five or more years; most of whom are too poor to afford a lawyer. The truth is that those in prison stand little chance of their rights being respected. Those without money stand even less chance. Some could end up spending the rest of their lives behind bars in appalling conditions without ever having been convicted of a crime.
Unscrupulous senior lawyers who facilitate the corrupt transactions are making even more billions. In as much as it is good for government to move round the world looking for international investors, it is pertinent for us to understand that global business personalities keep abreast of situations in countries of their interest. A corrupt justice system discourages foreign investment and hinders economic growth. Business men are reluctant to operate in environments where contracts are not enforced, property rights are not protected, and disputes are not resolved fairly.
A good and efficient justice system is the pillar of democracy. It is a known fact that no human system is perfect and democracy being a human system is fraught with lots of errors. A good justice system is what helps in putting a check and ensure that many flaws of democratic system do not set society aflame. That our democracy is progressing in the reverse direction today is because of our weak and corrupt justice system. A good justice system will ensure that democratic principles are upheld, not allowing those in power and politicians to exploit, oppress and marginalise citizens. There is so much corruption in our polity because people know that justice can be easily purchased and they may never suffer the consequences of their wrong actions.
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The greatest threat to our democracy in Nigeria today is the judiciary; lawyers, judges and other judicial workers are always happy after elections, because it is always juicy season for their profession. If we continue to get it wrong in governance, we may as well never be able to rise as a nation. Corrupt judges, as the late jurist, Kayode Eso, noted years ago, are becoming billionaires through election cases.
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Unscrupulous senior lawyers who facilitate the corrupt transactions are making even more billions. In as much as it is good for government to move round the world looking for international investors, it is pertinent for us to understand that global business personalities keep abreast of situations in countries of their interest. A corrupt justice system discourages foreign investment and hinders economic growth. Business men are reluctant to operate in environments where contracts are not enforced, property rights are not protected, and disputes are not resolved fairly.
A corrupt justice system compromises national security by allowing criminal networks to flourish. Organised crime, terrorism, and trafficking thrive in environments where corruption and impunity reign. This poses significant threats to national stability, regional security, and global peace. A corrupt and ineffective justice system has far-reaching consequences for a nation, affecting its social fabric, economic development, and democratic foundations.
Our current system favours the bad and the ugly. It enables human rights abuses, including arbitrary arrests, torture, and extrajudicial killings. According to Hon. Justice Mohammed Uwais, former Chief Justice of Nigeria, “a corrupt judge is more harmful in a society than a man who runs amok with a dagger in a crowded street.” Corrupt justice system encourages impunity, perpetuating cycles of violence and abuse. Victims are denied justice, and perpetrators are emboldened, creating a culture of fear and silence. It drives talented individuals away, leading to brain drain and loss of expertise. This is exactly what we have experienced in Nigeria for decades now. Professionals, seek environments where their rights are protected, and they can operate freely. This deprives Nigeria of essential skills, ideas, and innovations.
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A corrupt justice system compromises national security by allowing criminal networks to flourish. Organised crime, terrorism, and trafficking thrive in environments where corruption and impunity reign. This poses significant threats to national stability, regional security, and global peace. A corrupt and ineffective justice system has far-reaching consequences for a nation, affecting its social fabric, economic development, and democratic foundations.
To mitigate these effects, Nigerian governments must prioritise justice reform, ensuring accountability. Take deliberate, intentional steps to ensure an independent judiciary, strengthen our anti-corruption agencies, and oversight bodies, implement open trials, public access to information, and whistle-blower protection.
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We must also evolve a system that will hold our public officials, particularly law enforcement personnel and judges accountable for corruption and misconduct. Encourage citizen participation in justice reform, education, and awareness-raising initiatives.
We must collaborate with international organisations to combat transnational crime and corruption. By addressing these challenges, Nigeria can rebuild her justice system, restore trust, and promote stability, security, and progress.
Comrade Amechi, Lagos-based trade union activist, will write this column, ‘The Observer’s View, every Tuesday.
