The Nigerian judiciary, often described as the last hope of the common man, suffered another devastating blow to its integrity, and is rapidly losing its moral authority amid a growing pile of scandals that reveal systemic corruption within its ranks. The shocking suspension, compulsory retirement, and financial penalties imposed by the National Judicial Council (NJC) last week on multiple judicial officers, including two Chief Justices of State supreme courts for acts of forgery and gross misconduct is a damning indictment of the rot within the very institution charged with upholding the law. These acts are not mere administrative lapses or clerical errors; they are calculated, deliberate acts of fraud. Acts of forgery and corruption are not just betrayals of public trust by these so-called custodians of justice – they are existential threats to democracy and the rule of law. When judges perpetrate fraud, the very foundation of the legal system is shaken, casting a long shadow over the judiciary’s credibility. Falsifying dates of birth to extend tenure and siphon funds is the behavior of charlatans, not judges.
The judiciary’s descent into corruption raises critical questions about its ability to self-police. The findings against Justice Chukwuemeka Chikeka, Chief Judge of Imo State, and Kadi Babagana Mahdi, Grand Kadi of Yobe State, are nothing short of scandalous. Chikeka was found to have two conflicting dates of birth. Born October 27, 1956 he swore an affidavit in 2006 to alter his official age to October 27, 1958. Meanwhile, Mahdi’s audacity went even further: three different dates of birth (Dec. 10, Jan. 28, and July 28, all in 1959) were discovered, but his actual birth year is 1952. This means Mahdi should have retired 12 years ago, but instead, he continued to draw salaries and allowances while fraudulently occupying office. The NJC’s decision to order the refund of salaries and allowances paid in excess is a necessary step, but it does little to assuage the damage already done. These individuals were entrusted with the sacred duty of interpreting and enforcing the law, yet they chose to pervert it for personal gain. How can the judiciary demand integrity and truth from citizens when its own officers engage in blatant acts of forgery?
The Nigerian judiciary is not just a branch of government; it is the bedrock of justice and accountability. When that foundation is compromised, the entire edifice of society begins to crumble. The temple of justice has been desecrated by these acts of deception and manipulation, making a mockery of the high ideals of truth, fairness, and accountability. The brazenness of these acts highlights a systemic problem. These were not obscure magistrates or junior officers; they were chief justices of state supreme courts who should embody the highest standards of judicial probity. When a chief judge and a grand kadi engage in forgery, it is a betrayal of monumental proportions. It sends a chilling message that no office is immune to corruption, and it erodes public confidence in the judiciary’s ability to dispense justice fairly and impartially. Moreover, the suspension of Justices GC Aguma of Rivers and AO Nwabunike of Anambra for misconduct further amplifies the scale of decay. That five judicial officers were sanctioned at a single NJC meeting is not just a red flag, it is an alarm bell for urgent, systemic reform.
However, these latest acts of forgery are not the only dark stains on the judiciary’s reputation. In 2016, the judiciary was rocked by unprecedented raids conducted by the Department of State Services (DSS). Several high-ranking judges were arrested, and large sums of money, allegedly bribes, were discovered in their homes. The likes of Justices Sylvester Ngwuta and Adeniyi Ademola faced investigations for accepting bribes to influence judgments. While these cases drew significant public attention, they also exposed the extent to which financial corruption had infiltrated the judiciary. One of the judiciary’s most glaring weaknesses has been its role in manipulating election outcomes. Reports abound of judicial officers accepting bribes to deliver favorable judgments in election petitions, subverting the democratic process. In some cases, decisions that overturned the will of the people were later found to have been influenced by illicit payments or undue political influence.
In 2021, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia for corruption-related offenses, including unlawful enrichment and money laundering. Although her trial ended controversially with the dismissal of charges, the case underscored the suspicion surrounding the lifestyles of many judges, whose wealth far exceeds their official earnings. The judiciary has also been implicated in aiding land-grabbing schemes, particularly in states like Lagos and Ogun. Judges have been accused of issuing fraudulent injunctions to support dubious claims, enabling influential individuals to dispossess rightful landowners. Such complicity exacerbates the plight of ordinary Nigerians, who are powerless against a corrupt system, and highlights the judiciary’s vulnerability to ethical lapses.
These scandals are not just individual failings—they are symptoms of a systemic problem. When judges act with impunity, such corruption undermines public confidence in the entire legal system, leaving ordinary citizens vulnerable to exploitation. The judiciary’s role as a check on executive and legislative power is also compromised, weakening democracy and fostering an environment where the powerful can act without accountability. The judiciary’s complicity in corruption also stifles economic growth. Foreign investors are less likely to invest to a country where the judiciary is unreliable, knowing that contracts and property rights can be easily nullified by corrupt rulings.
The judiciary often positions itself as a moral arbiter, delivering judgments that shape lives, industries, and governments. Yet, here we are, grappling with evidence of a judiciary that cannot hold itself accountable to the most basic ethical standards. What credibility does a judiciary have when its officers forge documents to prolong their tenure and enrich themselves? How can such a judiciary stand as a beacon of hope for the oppressed, the marginalized, and the aggrieved? When judges become conmen and fraudsters, the entire legal system suffers. Every verdict, every injunction, and every interpretation of the law becomes tainted by the suspicion that it may be influenced by corruption, personal interest, or dishonesty. The ripple effect of these acts is incalculable, undermining not just the judiciary but the rule of law itself.
The NJC’s actions, though commendable, are merely reactive. They address the symptoms without tackling the underlying disease. Nigeria’s judiciary must undergo a radical transformation to restore its credibility and moral authority. Judges must be subjected to periodic, independent audits of their qualifications, records, and conduct. Forgery and falsification of documents should be detected long before these individuals ascend to high office. Judges must also be required to declare their assets, with periodic audits to verify the accuracy of these declarations. Any discrepancies should trigger immediate investigations. Besides, the NJC must impose harsher penalties for judicial misconduct to serve as a deterrent. A mere suspension or compulsory retirement is inadequate for offenses as egregious as forgery. Criminal prosecution should be the default response to such acts. The judiciary must adopt transparent systems for appointments, promotions, and disciplinary actions. This includes making NJC findings and deliberations more accessible to the public. Beyond structural reforms, there must be a cultural shift within the judiciary. Judges must see themselves not as untouchable demigods but as servants of the people, bound by the highest ethical standards.
Forging dates of birth is not just a bureaucratic infraction; it is an act of moral bankruptcy that strips these individuals of any right to sit in judgment over others. Justice Chikeka and Kadi Mahdi have not only defiled their offices but have also insulted every Nigerian who looks to the judiciary as a place of refuge and redress. Their actions—and the actions of others like them—make a mockery of the concept of justice. They undermine the sacrifices of honest, hardworking judges who toil daily to uphold the law. They embolden criminals and corrupt politicians, who can now point to the judiciary’s hypocrisy to justify their own misconduct. The Nigerian judiciary is at a crossroads. It can either confront the rot within its ranks head-on, or continue to decay until it collapses under the weight of its hypocrisy and corruption. The NJC’s recent actions are a step in the right direction, but they must be the beginning, not the end, of a comprehensive effort to cleanse the judiciary. The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun must understand that justice is too sacred to be left in the hands of forgers and fraudsters. Justice cannot thrive in a temple defiled by its own priests. The temple of justice must be purified, and those who have defiled it must be held to account, not just for their sake but for the sake of Nigeria’s democracy and the rule of law. The time for complacency, excuses and half-measures is over. The judiciary must reclaim its honor, or it will lose its soul. It is time for the judiciary to confront its demons, restore its honor, and reclaim its place as the guardian of Nigerian democracy. The nation deserves no less.
