Bribery in Courtrooms: Lawyers clash over NBA president’s claims

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, has said that many court judgments in Nigeria are influenced more by bribes than by evidence.

His remarks have sparked mixed reactions among lawyers and judges.

Speaking at the Ralph Opara Memorial Lecture in Enugu, themed “Judicial Corruption in Nigeria: A Menace to Democracy and Social Justice,” Osigwe described the situation as a “moral crisis and a democratic emergency” that threatens the country.

He said citizens now see courtrooms as places where money decides outcomes instead of the law.

He cited a 2024 survey by the UNODC and the National Bureau of Statistics showing that public officials received about N721 billion in bribes in 2023, with judges among the top recipients.

Another survey by the ICPC indicated that N9.4 billion in bribes flowed through the justice sector between 2018 and 2020, with lawyers and litigants as primary bribe-givers.

Osigwe called for urgent reforms, stating: “The temple of justice must be cleansed to ensure the rule of law prevails over the rule of money.”

Some senior lawyers disagreed with Osigwe’s generalization. Chief Joe-Kyari Gadzama, SAN, said that accusing judges of corruption without naming individuals or giving evidence damages the reputation of hardworking judicial officers. Mr. Ken Ahia, SAN, said while corruption exists in Nigeria, most judges are honest and conscientious, and poor judgments often result from heavy caseloads rather than bribery.

Other lawyers agreed that corruption is a problem in the judiciary.

Human rights lawyer Maxwell Opara shared personal experiences of alleged bias and misconduct by judges, saying some rulings are influenced by personal interest or bribes.

Constitutional rights activist Chief Nkereuwem Udofia Akpan acknowledged that a few judges may be corrupt but emphasized that most are diligent and ethical, noting that the National Judicial Council frequently disciplines erring judges.