A recent report by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resources Centre) has exposed widespread bribery, corruption, and administrative delays within Nigeria’s judiciary. Presented in Lagos, the findings are based on direct feedback from over 1,600 participants across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
According to HEDA, financial dependence and political interference continue to threaten the fairness of the justice system. In Volume Five of its Leadership Approval Rating report, titled “Voices for Justice: a Civic Lens on Nigeria’s Judicial System,” the organisation highlighted routine cases of bribery and inefficiency. Among 266 respondents with firsthand experiences in court, 130 admitted to paying court officials to speed up services.
The report also gathered insights from 1,357 people who rated the accessibility of courts. A large number gave poor scores: 18.7% rated accessibility as 2, while 17.8% gave it the lowest score of 1. Only 11.8% said courts were easily accessible. Their narratives revealed consistent themes of unfair rulings, unprofessional behavior from court staff, and frustration with slow, complicated procedures.
HEDA’s Executive Secretary, Sulaimon Arigbabu, said the findings point to a major credibility crisis within the judiciary. He noted that allegations of corruption and inefficiency are not abstract concerns but lived experiences for Nigerians who rely on the courts for justice and conflict resolution. Arigbabu warned that the erosion of public trust could weaken the foundation of democracy itself.
To restore confidence in the system, HEDA called for full judicial independence. Recommendations included reforming the National Judicial Council, adopting technology to improve transparency, and promoting stronger ethical standards in legal practice. Arigbabu emphasized that these reforms are critical, not optional, if the country hopes to rebuild trust in its justice system.
The report was presented alongside another HEDA publication documenting 100 high-profile corruption cases in Nigeria as of November 2024.
