Bode George to CJN: Time to end judicial rascality
By Dapo Akinrefon
Former Deputy National Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Bode George, has called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, to restore integrity to the judiciary, alleging that some politicians, akin to criminals, have compromised the judicial system.
In a statement titled “The Time to End Judicial Rascality is Now”, George expressed optimism that under the new CJN, the judiciary could reclaim its esteemed status, as it did between the 1950s and 1980s. However, he voiced concern that recent judgments by certain judicial officers have become an embarrassment to patriotic Nigerians, warning that if left unchecked, these actions could destabilize the country’s democracy.
He said: “I congratulate you on your confirmation by the Senate and your swearing-in by President Bola Tinubu as the Chief Justice of Nigeria. As a bonafide Lagosian and jurist from a family of legal luminaries, I strongly believe the judiciary will benefit from your wealth of knowledge. With you at the helm, I am hopeful the judiciary will reclaim the prominence it once had from the 1950s to the 1980s.”
George expressed his alarm over what he described as “judicial rascality” emerging from courts, especially those issuing conflicting rulings from courts of coordinate jurisdiction. He noted that Nigerians are increasingly questioning court judgments and warned that the current trajectory risks leading to “judicial anarchy.”
He explained: “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. While appellate courts have the power to overturn lower court decisions, we are seeing a disturbing trend where lower courts, without jurisdiction, issue counter orders, creating judicial chaos.”
George called on the CJN to convene a National Judicial Council (NJC) meeting with state and federal judges to address these inconsistencies and restore public confidence in the judiciary.
Reflecting on Nigeria’s past, George said: “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 in many political cases since 1999, judges have been accused of delivering judgments that serve the interests of powerful individuals rather than justice. George recalled the esteemed reputations of past Chief Justices, including Justice Adetokunbo Ademola, Justice Teslim Elias, and Justice Kayode Eso, who maintained the judiciary’s independence against external pressures.
George questioned why judges today seem to deliver verdicts based on “technicalities” that undermine the will of the people. He condemned the trend where judges determine electoral outcomes, overturning the decisions made by millions of voters.
“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 asked.
He warned that politically motivated judgments could have severe consequences for Nigeria’s democracy, both now and in the future. George stressed that judicial officers must be vigilant and avoid rulings that could undermine the democratic process.
“Judicial institutional strength is key to Nigeria’s development. Judges must resist pressure from politicians and remain impartial. They hold the power of life and death after God, and their judgments must reflect that responsibility,” George stated.
He concluded by urging the CJN to take urgent action to restore the credibility of the judiciary, warning that if the public loses faith in the judicial system, anarchy could ensue. “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.”
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