Retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Ibrahim Saulawa, has urged politicians to stop offering gifts to judges, saying the practice is demeaning and frustrating. Speaking at his valedictory court session, marking his retirement at the age of 70, Justice Saulawa wondered why politicians send rams, cows, and other gifts to Supreme Court justices. He called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria to take action against the practice.
Justice Saulawa's testimony on the matter carries significant weight, given his 44 years of experience in the legal profession. He recalled an instance where an influential businessman offered him a brand-new Peugeot vehicle, which he rejected. The businessman later appeared before him as an accused person and was convicted. His disclosure has drawn attention to a practice that could destroy public confidence in the judiciary.
The Nigerian Tribune notes that while Justice Saulawa's insistence on integrity, honesty, and morality is commendable, his disclosure must lead to more consequential actions. It is not enough for judicial officers to simply reject gifts; they must document and report such approaches to the relevant authorities. The National Judicial Council and anti-graft agencies must investigate and take firm action against those involved.
A study by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) on corruption in Nigeria's justice sector revealed disturbing findings. Eleven of 123 judges surveyed reported offers amounting to about ₦3.7 billion, often linked to attempts to influence election and political disputes. This should be a concern for every Nigerian, as judicial corruption can take many forms, including manipulation of court processes and deliberate delays.
The judiciary has a critical role in ensuring that justice is served fairly and expeditiously, regardless of the litigant's wealth or political connections. Currently, there are cases involving politically connected individuals, such as the son of a minister, who is defending a civil claim arising from an alleged $2.1 million Abuja real estate transaction. The judiciary must purge itself of corruption and ensure that justice is not compromised.
Justice Saulawa's admonition has performed a useful public service by sounding the alarm on judicial corruption. The Chief Justice of Nigeria and the National Judicial Council must take his admonition further by strengthening rules for gifts to judicial officers and taking firm sanctions against wrongdoing. Judges must understand that merely rejecting a corrupt offer is not enough; they must expose those attempting to corrupt justice.
The surest deterrent against judicial corruption is for anyone contemplating such an approach to know that the gift may become evidence and the giver may become an accused person. The cancer of judicial corruption must be excised; if the justice system becomes corrupted beyond public confidence, Nigeria itself is imperilled.
Key points
- Justice Saulawa urges politicians to stop offering gifts to judges.
- ICPC study finds ₦3.7 billion in gifts to judges, often linked to attempts to influence election and political disputes.
- The judiciary must take firm action against judicial corruption to maintain public confidence.
