*OVER 9 BILLION NAIRA BRIBE TO NIGERIAN JUDGES: A THREAT TO DEMOCRACY..... AMB TIMOTHY NWACHUKWU WARNS.*


*Amb Timothy Nwachukwu, The Convener, Campaign Against Crime Initiative (CACI) and the Founder, Youth Advocate For Peace Justice and Empowerment Network (YAPJEN) A CLO, Good Governance and Advocacy group, has raised alarm over the perversion of the justice system in Nigeria warning that it Portends danger to the development of Nigeria and a threat to our Democracy.*


Amb Timothy Nwachukwu who gave the warning while reacting to the report of the survey released by the anti graft agency, Independent and Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) where it revealed that practitioners in the temple of Nigeria justice system gave a whopping nine billion naira bribe to Nigerian judges.


He stated that According to the report credited to ICPC, *"The total amount of money reported by the Justice sector respondents as corruptly demanded, offered and paid between 2018 and 2020 was N9,457, 650,000.00 (N9.457 billion).” The survey added that about 78 of the 901 justice sector respondents reported experiencing offers or payment of bribes to the influence judicial process",*


*"Of that number, 63 respondents were lawyers surveyed to have paid or offered N5.77 billion as a bribe for a favourable judgement, Of the 63 lawyers respondents, female lawyers paid or offered N918 million as bribes, while their male counterparts paid or offered N4.815 billion as a bribe to influence a judgement".*

"These amounts made up 9.71 per cent and 50.92 per cent respectively of the total amount reported by justice sector respondents. Lawyers reported 60.63 per cent of the bribes offered and paid by justice sector respondents,” the report said.


*"Eleven out of the 123 judges surveyed, reported experiencing offers or payment of N3.307 billion and N392.3 million as a bribe.*



*Amb Timothy Nwachukwu stated that it is disgusting, discouraging and delusional that the justice sector which is commonly referred to as the last hope of the common man has allowed the endemic nature of Corruption which is prevalent in the nation's polity to permeate the once sacred sector.*



*He further warned that with the recent revelation by the anti graft agency, the hope of the common and voiceless Nigeria will dwiddle as justice is now been sold and obtained by the highest bidders.*



He reiterated that if the Nigeria Justice system fails to purge itself of the rot in the system, that Nigerians may result to the despicable act of jungle justice which is avarice to the rule of law.


*© Amb Timothy Nwachukwu can be reached on +2348097311499 and campaignagainstcrimeinitiative@gmail.com.*