The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Epe branch, Dr. S.O. Jimoh, has stated that Nigerians were born into corruption thereby rejecting the notion that the judiciary is corrupt.
He argued that corruption is a pervasive issue affecting all sectors of society and should not be singled out within the judicial system.
In an interview with journalists in Lagos, Dr. Jimoh acknowledged that while some unethical individuals may exist within the judiciary, this does not mean corruption is unique to this branch of government.
He pointed out that corruption is widespread across all branches, yet the judiciary often faces disproportionate scrutiny, Independent.
Dr. Jimoh emphasized that corruption is a global issue, and the key difference between countries lies in how effectively their systems address it.
He stressed the importance of distinguishing between the actions of individuals and the overall integrity of the judiciary as an institution. He further clarified that the presence of corrupt individuals within the judiciary does not mean the entire system is corrupt.
He also highlighted the deeply ingrained nature of corruption in Nigeria, describing it as a cultural issue woven into the fabric of the nation. While legislation can play a role in reducing corruption, Dr. Jimoh argued that it cannot completely eliminate it without addressing systemic inefficiencies. He suggested that Nigeria needs more efficient systems that discourage corruption from taking root.
Dr. Jimoh drew comparisons between Nigeria and more developed nations, noting that the latter have systems in place that actively work against corruption, unlike in Nigeria where the system can sometimes facilitate corrupt practices. He called for a shift in focus away from labeling specific branches of government as corrupt and toward creating systems that inherently prevent corruption.
He also addressed the high expectations placed on the judiciary, which is often scrutinized due to its role as the custodian of justice. While acknowledging this scrutiny, he emphasized that it should be balanced with an understanding of the societal challenges judges face, as they are also products of the same system.
Dr. Jimoh concluded by advocating for a more proactive approach to tackling corruption in Nigeria. He called for a collective effort to build systems that make corruption difficult, if not impossible, to practice. By addressing the root causes of corruption, he argued, Nigeria can reduce its prevalence and improve its overall governance.
“Why do we not hear terms like ‘Legislative Corruption’ or ‘Executive Corruption’ with the same intensity? Corruption is everywhere, yet the judiciary is often targeted unfairly,” Dr. Jimoh stated.
” An individual judge may be corrupt, but that does not mean the judiciary is corrupt. Corruption in the judiciary should not overshadow its critical role as the temple of justice. People expect perfection from the judiciary because of its role as the arbiter of justice. But we must remember that judges are also Nigerians, and like all of us, they are products of the same system,” he added.
