Key Points

• El-Rufai says judicial corruption has become mainstream in Nigeria.

• He blames judges and lawyers for public loss of trust.

• He urges reform of weak institutions and legal leadership.

Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has launched a scathing attack on Nigeria’s judiciary, accusing judges and lawyers of deep-rooted corruption.

Speaking during the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Law Week in Abuja, El-Rufai said the public’s confidence in the judiciary has collapsed due to biased rulings and the slow pace of justice delivery.

Citing the widespread misuse of ex parte orders and political interference in court processes, El-Rufai claimed that many legal professionals prioritize political interests over justice.

He described the courts as being manipulated by the executive arm of government, stating that justice now serves the elite.

El-Rufai emphasized that lawyers must reflect on their roles as protectors of justice, questioning whether the Nigerian legal system still upholds fairness or merely functions as an extension of political power.

El-Rufai says judicial corruption is now mainstream

Describing the problem as systemic, El-Rufai said judicial corruption in Nigeria has become normalized.

He criticized the National Judicial Council (NJC) for its failure to discipline erring judges, highlighting how opaque appointments and inconsistent rulings have eroded the system’s integrity.

Referencing Transparency International, he noted that Nigeria’s judiciary remains one of the least trusted institutions.

Once revered, judges now face public scorn and disrespect, a drastic shift he blames on the judiciary’s failure to uphold its moral and constitutional responsibilities.

He also cited poor working conditions, insufficient oversight, and weak leadership within the Bar as contributors to the profession’s decline.

Legal reforms and judicial accountability must be enforced

El-Rufai urged the Nigerian Bar Association to push for bold reforms. He recommended restructuring the NJC, increasing transparency in judicial appointments, and strictly enforcing discipline for misconduct.

He also challenged the NBA to hold its members accountable and to stop tolerating mediocrity.

On the issue of the state of emergency in Rivers State, El-Rufai warned of a dangerous precedent and criticized the National Assembly’s use of voice votes rather than constitutional two-thirds majority procedures.

He called on legal practitioners to defend judicial independence while insisting on accountability from within.

To restore public confidence, he said the profession must focus less on prestige and more on ethical leadership, long-term structural reform, and public service.