Former Deputy National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bode George, has expressed urgent concerns over the integrity of the judiciary in Nigeria. In a statement titled “The Time to End Judicial Rascality is Now,” George highlighted allegations that some judges may be compromised and even on the payroll of influential politicians, undermining the judicial system’s integrity.
George made this call following the confirmation of Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun as the new Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN). He congratulated her on her appointment, expressing hope that her leadership would help reclaim the judiciary’s esteemed status, reminiscent of its prominence from the 1950s to the 1980s.
Bode George emphasized the embarrassment and worry over conflicting rulings from courts on the same matters, stating that if the situation remains unchecked, it could destabilize Nigeria’s democracy. George noted, “Judicial decisions today are becoming embarrassing… We have instances where a court, miles away from the scene of political conflict, issues confusing rulings, leaving Nigerians bewildered.” He criticized the trend of lower courts issuing counter orders without jurisdiction, leading to what he described as judicial chaos.
To address these issues, George urged the new CJN to convene a meeting of the National Judicial Council (NJC) with both state and federal judges to restore public confidence in the judiciary. He called for a return to the standards upheld by past Chief Justices like Justice Adetokunbo Ademola, Justice Teslim Elias, and Justice Kayode Eso, who resisted external pressures and maintained judicial integrity.
Reflecting on the past, George remarked, “From the 1950s to the 1980s, judges were revered and feared for their impartiality. It was unheard of to attempt bribing a judge. But today, some judges are openly accused of being on politicians’ payrolls.” He lamented that many political cases since 1999 have seen judges delivering judgments favoring powerful individuals rather than justice.
George raised critical questions about the democratic process, stating, “How can three, five, or seven judges decide the outcome of elections for millions of Nigerians? What is the essence of voting if judges impose their will over the electorate’s choice?” He stressed that judicial officers hold significant power and must ensure their rulings do not undermine democracy.
Concluding his statement, Bode George urged the new CJN to take swift action to restore the credibility of the judiciary and protect it from politicians seeking to compromise it for their selfish interests. “Today, some politicians who are no better than criminals have compromised the judiciary. This is dangerous for our electoral system and for the future of Nigeria. The time to end judicial rascality is now,” he asserted.
