Former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai Claims Nigeria “Stinks of Widespread Corruption”
El-Rufai Criticizes Judiciary at NBA Law Week Event
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has made startling allegations about Nigeria’s justice system, stating the country “stinks of widespread corruption.” He delivered these remarks during the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Bwari branch’s Law Week event in Abuja on Monday.
Judiciary Under Fire
El-Rufai expressed deep concerns about public trust in the judiciary, citing “delayed justice and biased rulings” as major issues. He particularly criticized the increasing use of ex parte orders in political matters and accused some lawyers of manipulating the courts for political gain.
“Our judiciary, meant to be the bedrock of fairness and order, is under intense scrutiny,” El-Rufai stated. He highlighted several systemic problems including:
- Inconsistent judgments
- Opaque judicial appointments
- Minimal consequences for erring judges
National Judicial Council Criticized
The former governor took aim at the National Judicial Council (NJC), accusing it of “failing in its core mandate of disciplinary oversight.” He painted a grim picture of Nigeria’s justice system:
“The rise in forum shopping, the weaponisation of ex parte orders in political matters, and the growing perception that justice is for sale and available only to the rich and the powerful would cause the perceptive observer to conclude that what Nigerian courts do is the administration of law and not the administration of justice.”
Widespread Perception of Corruption
El-Rufai didn’t mince words about the current state of affairs: “In Nigeria, there is a seemingly unbridgeable gulf between law and justice. Not only is justice wanting, but the law that is administered seems to be according to the wishes of the executive.”
He concluded with a sobering assessment: “If we must be honest, we must admit that the perception of a high level of judicial corruption is now mainstream.”
Full credit to the original publisher: Daily Trust