In a report by Daily Post on August 22, 2025, former President Olusegun Obasanjo raised alarm over the deepening corruption within Nigeria’s judiciary, warning that it has transformed courts from bastions of justice into hubs of corruption. His concerns were detailed in his recently published book, *Nigeria: Past and Future*, released by the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library.
Obasanjo highlighted that the judiciary, meant to be the last hope for ordinary citizens, is losing credibility due to widespread corrupt practices. He described justice as having become a commodity for sale, a trend he sees as a grave threat to Nigeria’s stability, rule of law, and public trust in governance.
Drawing from personal experience, Obasanjo recounted a visit to a northern state years after leaving office, where he was shown a row of luxurious duplexes allegedly owned by a judge. The judge reportedly amassed wealth by chairing election tribunals, a revelation that underscored how judicial positions are being exploited for personal gain rather than upholding fairness. Obasanjo lamented that such practices have persisted and worsened over time, further eroding the judiciary’s integrity.
He emphasized that a compromised judiciary undermines not only ordinary citizens but also the democratic process itself, given its critical role in elections, governance, and dispute resolution. Obasanjo warned that the monetization of justice fuels instability and distorts democracy, posing significant risks to Nigeria’s progress.
Calling for urgent reforms, the former president stressed that a society where justice is traded cannot achieve peace or development. He urged stakeholders to address the systemic rot in the judiciary to restore its commitment to fairness and safeguard Nigeria’s future.
Quoting Obasanjo from his book: “I visited a northern state about a decade after leaving office. The governor pointed to six duplexes next to the government guest house, saying they belonged to a judge who built them with money earned from chairing election tribunals.” His observations serve as a clarion call to tackle judicial corruption before it inflicts further damage on the nation.
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