Constitutional lawyer and human rights advocate Mike Ozekhome, SAN, has described Nigeria as a nation practising “judocracy” instead of democracy.
He made this assertion during the pre-convocation lecture at the 9th convocation ceremony of Gregory University, Uturu, Abia State, where he criticised the judiciary for contributing to what he termed the “bastardisation of democracy” in the country.
Delivering his lecture titled *The Judiciary as the Final Arbiter of Electoral Outcomes: Aberrations and Judgments Without Justice,* Ozekhome defined “judocracy” as “a system where Presidents, Governors, Senators, Members of the House of Representatives, State Assembly Members, Local Government Chairmen, and Councillors are conceived, incubated, and birthed in the hallowed chambers of our courts.”
He lamented that the judiciary, instead of safeguarding democracy, has become complicit in distorting the will of the people. “The judiciary is displacing the real will of the people as expressed through the ballot. That’s the situation in Nigeria,” he said.
Ozekhome called for an independent judiciary free from interference by the executive and legislature. He described it as the cornerstone of democracy and the guardian of fundamental rights. He further urged judges to resist corruption under any circumstances and advocated for systemic reforms, including better remuneration, modern infrastructure, and adequate housing for judicial officers.
Highlighting the dual role of the judiciary in electoral matters, Ozekhome said, “Advocates of judicial oversight argue that courts rectify injustices and uphold the sanctity of the vote. On the other hand, critics warn that judicial overreach may transform the judiciary into a kingmaker, destabilizing governance and tipping the scales of democracy.”
During the ceremony, Vice Chancellor Mrs. Cele Njoku highlighted the university’s academic strides, noting that all programs have received full accreditation from regulatory bodies. She announced a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Sacred Heart University in the United States and an ongoing partnership with Russian Friendship University for exchange programs and technology transfer.
Mrs. Njoku urged the graduates to become problem-solvers and good ambassadors of the university.
The Chancellor reminded the graduates to view their degrees as tools of empowerment, encouraging them to make positive contributions to society. Similarly, Pro-Chancellor Professor Augustine Uwakwe stressed that education transcends career preparation, describing it as a key to unlocking opportunities and achieving societal progress.
A total of 190 students graduated, including 16 with First Class honours, 86 with Second Class Upper, 86 with Second Class Lower, and one with Third Class. Master Ombeh Tarelayefa Clinton emerged as the overall best graduand with a CGPA of 4.81, earning N1 million from the university’s founder, Professor Greg Ibe, along with other prizes.
The Faculty of Law produced seven First Class graduates, including the overall best, who were also awarded multiple cash prizes.
Former Minister for Power Professor Barth Nnaji received an honorary doctorate degree, while Professor Ogechi Anyaehie was conferred the title of Professor Emeritus.
In his remarks, Nnaji commended the university for its investments in technology, science, and entrepreneurship. He encouraged the graduates to innovate and become job creators rather than job seekers.
Ozekhome, Nnaji, and Orji Nwafor Orizu jointly announced several endowments to reward outstanding students in perpetuity, reinforcing the university’s commitment to academic excellence and societal impact.
