El-Rufai Alleges Widespread Corruption in Judiciary, Calls for Public Trust Restoration

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir el-Rufai, has launched a scathing critique of the Nigerian judiciary, alleging widespread corruption among judges and lawyers and asserting that public trust in the system has been severely eroded.

Speaking yesterday at the Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Bwari Branch, in Abuja, el-Rufai contended that the public’s confidence in the judiciary is at an all-time low, citing pervasive issues of delayed justice and biased rulings.

“Our judiciary, meant to be the bedrock of fairness and order, is under intense scrutiny,” el-Rufai stated, adding that “concerns about delayed justice, procedural inefficiencies, and, in some cases, judicial compromise (to put the matter delicately), erode public confidence.”

The former governor did not mince words, claiming that justice in Nigeria frequently favors the affluent and powerful. He also condemned the growing practice of “forum shopping” and the “weaponisation of ex parte orders in political matters,” accusing some legal practitioners of manipulating the courts for political gain.

El-Rufai, delivering a keynote address titled ‘Lawyers as Agents of Change: Navigating Economic Reforms, Judicial Policy and Contemporary Issues’, implored legal professionals to introspect on their roles. He urged them to ensure justice is served without bias or undue influence from the executive arm of government, advocating for lawyers to act as “custodians of conscience” and actively resist systemic failures, particularly within the judiciary.