Nigeria’s Justice System Under Fire as El-Rufai Exposes Alleged Massive Corruption”

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has strongly criticised the Nigerian judiciary, alleging that corruption runs deep within the system, with dishonesty prevalent among both judges and lawyers.

Speaking at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Bwari Branch’s Law Week in Abuja on Monday, El-Rufai expressed grave concern over the public’s growing distrust in the judiciary, citing delayed justice and biased decisions as key drivers of the erosion in confidence.

He lamented that Nigeria’s justice system is increasingly seen as one that serves the interests of the wealthy and powerful, rather than upholding fairness and impartiality.

“There’s a disturbing perception among Nigerians that justice is no longer blind — that outcomes are influenced by wealth and power,” El-Rufai stated. “The practice of forum shopping and the misuse of ex parte orders, especially in politically charged cases, has only deepened this belief.”

The former governor took aim at legal practitioners who, he claimed, exploit judicial processes for selfish or political ends. He urged members of the legal profession to engage in serious self-reflection regarding their role in upholding justice.

“Our judiciary, intended to be the guardian of fairness, is under heavy scrutiny,” he said. “Issues like delayed rulings, procedural bottlenecks, and occasional compromise — to put it mildly — continue to damage its credibility.”

El-Rufai highlighted the widening gap between the ideals of law and the reality of justice in Nigeria, alleging that judicial outcomes are too often dictated by executive influence rather than legal merit.

He called on lawyers and judges alike to examine whether justice is truly impartial, as symbolised by the blindfolded Lady Justice, and to recommit to restoring integrity in the judicial system.