‘Courts are now market stalls’: Nigerians react to Justice Augie’s jabs on judiciary

*•‘If we lose courts, we lose election before first vote’ •Nigeria’s judiciary on trial — Welson •Courtroom should not be turned into final polling unit — Adewale *

**By Dayo Johnson, **Regional Editor, South West

A retired justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Amina Adamu Augie, last week raised the alarm that corruption within Nigeria’s judiciary and legal profession is eroding public aconfidence in the administration of justice and transforming the courts into what she described as “market stalls.”

Read Also: Nigeria’s rule of law under threat, justice too slow, costly – Ex-Supreme Court Justice, Augie

Justice Augie, who spoke in Abuja during the 40th anniversary celebration of the Nigerian Law School Class of 1986, popularly known as the Centennial Class, said corrupt practices involving judges, lawyers and court officials had weakened the credibility of the justice system and damaged the public’s perception of the legal profession.

It is a notorious fact that many people no longer see the judiciary as the last hope of the common people. And in a society where the residents do not have confidence in the judiciary to deliver justice, the consequences can not be imagined.

Less than three months to the 2027 general elections therefore, concerned Nigerians have warned that the judiciary must not be allowed to determine the outcome of the elections. They argued that the judiciary has demonstrated times without number that it cannot be trusted and some candidates are not thinking of going to the election tribunal to retrieve any mandate but to settle the matter on the election day.

If we lose the courts before February 2027, we lose the election before the first vote is cast — Prof Okaba

A university don and immediate past President, Ijaw National Congress, Prof Benjamin Okaba said: “Retired Supreme Court Justice Amina Augie’s warning must be taken seriously, because an election is only as credible as the court that will judge it. Corruption will impact the 2027 elections in three ways: pre-election manipulation, election-day impunity, and post-election anarchy.

When registry staff can make files disappear, delay service, or backdate affidavits, elections are rigged before ballot papers are even printed, as seen in 2023 pre-election matters where candidates were excluded through technical fraud. To tackle this, the three arms Justice Augie identified must be fixed.

For the Bench, the National Judicial Council must act swiftly and publicly: no judge with a pending corruption petition should serve on any Election Petition Tribunal in 2027, and all tribunal proceedings and judgments must be live-streamed, as was piloted in 2023, sunlight is the best disinfectant.

For the Bar, the Nigerian Bar Association must stop protecting senior lawyers who act as bagmen for judges; the notorious practice of “go and see the judge” must attract debarment, not promotion to SAN. For the Registry, the most neglected but most dangerous, total digitalization is needed: electronic filing with time stamps, CCTV in registries, and audit trails will end the era where a clerk can decide the fate of a governorship. Above all, speed is essential.

The 180-day rule for tribunals must be sacrosanct, because the longer a petition stays in the system, the more time for market-stall bargaining. Justice Augie has sounded the alarm, and the CJN, NBA, EFCC, ICPC, and civil society must act now. If we lose the courts before February 2027, we would have lost the election before the first vote is cast.”

Courtroom should not be turned into final polling unit where money casts deciding vote — Adewale

On his part, former SDP chairman in Ondo state, Hon Stephen Adewale said, “Justice Augie’s warning should trouble every Nigerian as we approach the 2027 elections. If politicians believe they can purchase judicial protection, electoral malpractice becomes a calculated investment. A stolen mandate could pass through the courts and emerge wearing the robes of legitimacy. Corruption among registry officials can be equally destructive, especially where evidence is concealed or access to documents is deliberately frustrated. The damage could outlive the election. Citizens who endure long queues to vote may lose faith in democracy if they believe money will eventually determine whose victory survives. The National Judicial Council must investigate credible complaints promptly and impose meaningful sanctions where misconduct is established.

“Lawyers and registry officials who facilitate corruption must also face consequences, alongside politicians who offer bribes. Secured digital records and timely access to electoral evidence would make manipulation harder. Financial independence of the judiciary must come with accountability, while honest judges must be protected from political intimidation. No politician should be allowed to turn the courtroom into a final polling unit where money casts the deciding vote.

Protection of electoral justice must be treated as democratic imperative — Ogunsuyi

A Public Analyst, Media Consultant and Former Commissioner for Information in Ekiti State, Lanre Ogunsuyi, said, “The credibility of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections will depend not only on the proper conduct of voting and the accurate collation of results, but also on whether electoral disputes are resolved by courts that are independent, impartial and beyond the reach of corruption. If judicial decisions can be bought, manipulated or shaped by political pressure, the election itself becomes vulnerable to illegitimacy.

Compromised electoral justice would not merely damage the reputation of the courts; it could determine who governs, overturn the will of voters, and place the constitutional order under strain. When justice appears to be for sale, public confidence collapses, legitimate mandates are questioned, and aggrieved parties may abandon lawful remedies. The consequences are concrete and dangerous: defeated candidates may reject court judgments as predetermined, supporters may mobilise against institutions, and disputes that should end in the courtroom may spill into protests, violence or prolonged political instability. A system that denies citizens a credible legal remedy creates incentives for self-help and makes peaceful transfers of power far less certain. As preparations for the 2027 elections gather momentum, Nigeria must treat the protection of electoral justice as a democratic imperative.

Corruption in electoral justice should be difficult to perpetrate, easier to expose and impossible to excuse once established. Democracy does not thrive merely because votes are cast and counted; it endures when citizens trust that disputes will be resolved fairly, that unlawful victories can be overturned and that justice, not influence, will determine who holds power”.

Clean up judiciary to save Nigeria’s democracy — Ambakaderimo

For Elder Joseph Ambakederimo, Convener South South Reawakening Group, “The retired Supreme Court Justice tried to be lenient on her colleagues at the Bench, Bar, and the Registry. The actual description for me would be like a “Bazaar” where items are being auctioned to the highest bidder. The corruption in the judicial arm of government has reached a crisis point that has become irreversible. As it is today, who will bell the cat? Who will stand in and clean the Augean stable? We can recollect vividly when the President Buhari administration tried to intervene; he couldn’t get cooperation from everyday Nigerians who hitherto bear the brunt of the endemic corruption in the country.

The rhetorical question to ask is: if corruption flows from top to bottom and from bottom to top, pervading all aspects of our lives, what makes one think that one part (the judicial arm of the same government) would be immune to the malaise we suffer as a country? For me, I think it will be an uphill task to get out of this doldrums.”

Candidates’ trajectory will determine outcome, Says Atare

Similarly, Mr. Ufuoma Atare, the Convener, Delta Democrats Forum, DDF, said: “The trajectory of the candidates being projected by the various political parties will determine the outcome of the elections. Corruption will have minimal effect on the outcome of the 2027 elections because Nigerians are now determined to achieve proper change, just as we saw in the Osun State governorship election; people collected money and voted their conscience. The same thing will happen in 2027.”

Nigerians must curtail forces derailing democracy – Uwoghiren

According to lawyer and human rights activist Jefferson Uwoghiren, “Democracy thrives when people know their votes count, but when they realise their votes are likely to be ambushed or arrested, there is usually a resort to, not just violence but to anti-patriotic actions. It is therefore in the interest of this country that we all faithfully and respectfully abide by the democratic tenets we practice. Going forward, there are different agencies and institutional checks in place that are supposed to check and act.

There is the Senate Committee on Judiciary, which can hold a public hearing and ask for the relevant information, knowledge and details. These are matters of public concern, and with that everybody will sit up. The media also have a role to play in checking the situation; in very advanced countries, journalists adopt very ethical means to expose these things by having what they call sting operations and then finding out who is actually going to fall for it.

“Justice Augie is not a flippant person; she has seen it all. There are numerous actors responsible for these judicial blights: lawyers, judicial staff, senior government officials and wealthy and influential members of the society”.

Nigeria’s judiciary on trial — Prof Welson

Prof Ekiyor Welson, Executive Director Centre for Philosophy and Development said: “The judiciary has now exposed itself as an institution that cannot and should not be trusted. Because of this, we may enter a period in Nigeria that will resemble a jungle society. The opposition is determined to win the election, and any contrary result will not be accepted. Next year’s election will be decided at the polls by voters.

For the first time, underrating and underestimating the opposition has become very risky. The judiciary will not be given the opportunity to take part in the election. That is the current situation. So the impact the judiciary might make, which is likely to be negative, will not arise, because nobody is thinking of going to the tribunal to retrieve any mandate. On election day, every matter will be settled.”

Judiciary must purge itself, regain public trust — Morris

Former Secretary, Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) Bayelsa State, Alagoa Morris said: “The good side of this latest indictment by one who has been part of the judiciary is that the self-critique is exercised by some members of the profession. It is however sad and unfortunate that public confidence in the judiciary has been eroded, as some would boldly say that they will buy judgment.

“The NBA leadership also mentioned this not too long ago. We read about the incorruptible judge once, even as children; it gave a positive feeling about the judiciary then. The judiciary should purge itself and strive to regain public confidence. If the judiciary is gone, as in a marketplace, society is finished. As one of the social institutions which strengthen developed societies, this pillar should be a strong one for Nigeria.”

We must protect the ballot, defend the rule of law, restore public confidence in the administration of justice — Chief Amure

Chief Ola Amure said “Corruption in the Bench, the Bar and the Court Registry poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy, particularly as the country approaches the 2027 general elections.

When justice becomes a commodity for sale, the consequences go beyond the courtroom. Electoral corruption can undermine the will of the people, while judicial corruption can destroy the last hope of candidates and citizens seeking redress when their electoral rights are violated.

The danger is that when votes are manipulated and justice is allegedly compromised, the people may lose confidence in both the electoral process and the judiciary. This can encourage electoral violence, deepen political apathy and create a dangerous perception that elections are won not by the people’s mandate but by money, influence and connections.

To tackle this menace ahead of 2027, we must strengthen the independence of the judiciary, ensure transparent and merit-based judicial appointments, investigate credible allegations of judicial corruption, and prosecute proven offenders regardless of their status. The activities of court registries must be transparent, while electoral disputes must be handled promptly, impartially and in accordance with the law. As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, the preservation of judicial integrity is not merely a professional responsibility; it is a national imperative.

We must protect the ballot, defend the rule of law and restore public confidence in the administration of justice.

Electronic voting can curb corruption, protect election results – MBF President

The National President of the Middle Belt Forum (MBF), Dr. Bitrus Pogu, on his part called for the adoption of a fully automated electoral system ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying electronic voting and real-time transmission of results would significantly reduce corruption and protect the integrity of the polls.

The MBF President cautioned that the pervasive nature of corruption across public institutions posed a serious threat to credible elections if urgent measures were not taken to address it. The judiciary should not be allowed to determine the outcome of elections.

Elections should be so transparent and electronically controlled using technology that if the judiciary is going to be involved in the electoral process at all, it will be to decide on disputes over who is supposed to be a legitimate candidate rather than who has won an election.

Only the quality of a people can secure society’s well-being, not technology, laws, or wealth – Chief Biose

Chairman of the Delta State Obidient Elders Council, Chief Chris Biose, said: “No amount of technological devices, no amount of legal provisions, no amount of money in the bank or from crude oil can ensure the well-being of a society, only the quality of the human beings in that society can.

“When the quality of human beings in a society is debilitated, that society is debilitated, and there is no redemption. When you have corrupt minds in leadership, the society is doomed.”

Moruff O. Balogun, former Vice Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ijebu Ode Branch said; “Judicial corruption in Nigeria threatens the credibility of the 2027 general elections and undermines democracy, the rule of law, and public confidence in the judiciary.

As Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections, the integrity of the judiciary will be crucial to ensuring that electoral disputes are resolved fairly, transparently and in accordance with the law.

A credible election requires more than peaceful voting and accurate collation of results; it also requires an impartial judicial system capable of protecting the mandate of the electorate. Ultimately, judicial justice must be determined by the law and evidence, not by money, political influence or intimidation. The judiciary must remain the last hope of the common man, not a marketplace where justice is available to the highest bidder.

Kareem Adekola, Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Ibadan Branch

“Corruption in the judiciary poses a serious threat to the credibility of any democratic process because elections do not end with the casting and counting of votes. There must also be confidence that disputes arising from the process will be resolved fairly, independently and strictly in accordance with the law.

“If litigants believe that electoral cases can be determined by financial influence rather than evidence and the law, public confidence in the courts will suffer. It could also encourage political actors to pursue their interests through improper channels instead of respecting established democratic procedures. Ultimately, the integrity of electoral justice depends on the willingness of everyone within the justice system to defend the law above personal, financial or political interests.”

According to Niyi Aborisade, a human rights lawyer; “If the judiciary fails to protect electoral justice, the consequences could extend beyond individual disputes to the legitimacy of democratic institutions. The greatest danger is that citizens may begin to believe that their votes do not matter because political power can be secured or retained through financial influence rather than popular support and the rule of law.

“Such a perception could discourage voter participation, deepen political distrust and increase tensions after elections. The solution must go beyond public condemnation. The National Judicial Council and other relevant authorities must investigate credible allegations of judicial misconduct, ensure transparent disciplinary procedures and protect judges who refuse improper pressure from politicians and other influential individuals. Nigeria needs courts where evidence determines cases, not the financial strength or political connections of litigants.”

Evelyn Ologbese, Civil Society and Access to Justice advocate said: “Justice must never become a privilege reserved for the wealthy, politically connected or influential members of society.

“As the 2027 general elections approach, the concern is that any electoral dispute affected by improper financial influence could leave citizens feeling that their votes and constitutional rights are not adequately protected. Electoral justice must be accessible to every party, regardless of its financial resources or political standing. Urgent reforms should include transparent court procedures, digital filing and case-tracking systems, clear channels for reporting demands for bribes, and effective protection for complainants and whistle-blowers.

Digitalisation alone will not eliminate corruption, but it can reduce opportunities for undocumented transactions and arbitrary administrative practices.

Restoring confidence in the judiciary requires a system in which the poor and the powerful can expect the same standard of justice.”

Monsurat Sunmonu, former senator representing Oyo Central and former Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly:

“The credibility of an election depends not only on how votes are cast and counted but also on whether the institutions responsible for resolving disputes are trusted to act fairly. The judiciary has a constitutional responsibility to interpret the law without fear, favour or political interference.

“Where judicial corruption is established, it can damage public confidence in electoral outcomes, regardless of which political party benefits. Democracy cannot function effectively if citizens believe that justice is determined by money or influence rather than the law. Political leaders have a responsibility to protect the independence of the judiciary, refrain from attempting to influence court proceedings and ensure that their supporters respect lawful decisions.

“The 2027 elections should be an opportunity to reinforce democratic institutions, not expose them to further distrust. Ultimately, every Nigerian should be able to approach a court with the confidence that the law will be applied fairly, irrespective of political affiliation, wealth or status.”

Samuel Oyadongha; Rotimi Ojomoyela; Peter Duru; Ozioruva Aliu; Daniel Abia; Ochuko Akuopha; James Ogunnaik; Emem Idio & Adeola Badru, also contributed to this report.

Vanguard News

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