Drawing on his experience as president of the NBA, Mr Akpata recalled how flawed the recruitment process of judges is in the country.

By Ameh Ejekwonyilo


Olumide Akpata, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), says it is only by sheer luck that the Nigerian judiciary can produce a good judge.

Mr Akpata spoke recently at the International Bar Association (IBA) conference in Paris, France.

Addressing the gathering, the former NBA president noted that Nigeria remains the largest black nation on earth, adding that the country is confronted with a major problem he termed, “judiciary capture.”

Chidi Odinkalu, a law professor and former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), shared Mr Akpata’s perspectives on his X handle on Friday.

In two short videos posted on X (formerly Twitter), Mr Akpata who is vying for the Edo State governorship election next year, was seen lamenting how Nigeria’s political class had emasculated the judicial system.

He was the NBA president between 2021 and 2022, before being succeeded by Yakubu Maikyau in August 2022.

Drawing on his experience as president of the NBA, Mr Akpata recalled how flawed the recruitment process of judges is in the country.

“For a good judge to emerge out of that process is by fluke only; sheer luck with judicial appointment in Nigeria. It is ridiculous.”

Being president of the NBA conferred Mr Akpata with the statutory membership of the National Judicial Council (NJC), a body saddled with the responsibilities of recruiting and disciplining erring judges in Nigeria.

“While I was president of the NBA, what I found out was that there is a deliberate attempt on the part of the political class in Nigeria to capture the judiciary. And that has very insidious consequences for rule of law in Nigeria. It is deliberate and it is intentional. And it is achieving results for them.”

Without giving further details of his observations while being on the recruitment panel for judges, Mr Akpata described his findings as “bizarre.”

“Because the kind of people who show up as judges have no business being there.”

The recruitment process of judges in Nigeria has been controversial with many lawyers calling for reforms.

Recently, Mr Odinkalu, a vocal critic of the process of appointment of judges, wondered why heads of courts like the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola and the Presidents of the Court of Appeal and National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Monica Dongban-Mensem and Benedict Kanyip, respectively, would appoint their children or spouses as judges.

He also described the situation as “judicial capture.”

There are several retired and serving justices including politicians whose children and spouses currently serve as judicial officers across various courts in the court.


Public confidence in judiciary eroded

Referencing the burning of the High Court complex in Lagos State during the EndSARS protests in October 2020, Mr Akpata said the picture of a man holding a machete and clad in a judge’s robes – wig and gown – was a clear message to the Nigerian judiciary that justice was not being served from the courts.

“So, what we have is a total erosion of confidence in the judiciary.”

He said politicians, especially governors, pauperise judges by denying them their basic entitlements like official cars and accommodation.

Mr Akpata disclosed that “some chief judges kneel before the governors” to beg for funds.

Judicial unions in Nigeria have been demanding financial independence but to no avail.

Judges’ salaries are abysmally poor, a situation Mr Akpata said breeds corruption.

“When you know a man (judge) that knows the law but his judgement flies against the face of what the law should be, you know that there is something else motivating him or her.”

He said some judges were living above their legitimate income by sending their children to Ivy Leagues like Cambridge, Yale and Harvard.


Urges IBA to intervene

Mr Akpata asserted that the “IBA being the global body of the legal profession has a role to play in dealing with what I call ‘the judiciary capture.'”

He said what happens in Nigeria has wider implications for the world.

Responding, an official of the IBA whose name could not be ascertained from the video promised to consider Mr Akpata’s concerns.

“What I am going to commit to you is that the IBA will put our minds together on whether a statement on the situation should come from the IBA,” the IBA official said.

https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/644218-good-judge-emerging-in-nigeria-is-by-luck-says-ex-nba-president.html

ANY good thing emerging in Nigeria is by pure luck

Pray for 🇳🇬🇳🇬

True because our society has been captured by corruption.


Wittyness.

All is see if APC watering the group for military to take over

As bad as PDP was they were getting better with each election, with each judgement

But APC seem to be getting worse and worse

And there is only one way it always end military take over, might not be today, or tomorrow or even in 5 years but that's the end if we continue like this

Even lawyers who know and understand the system don't trust the judiciary anymore

Don't expect trust from the common man

This is not the way to speak of your country at an international forum.

Making unguarded and unqualified statements that denigrate the entire judiciary is ridiculous.

So all children and spouses of judges appointed into the judiciary in Nigeria are unqualified. And Nigeria is the only country where offsprings tend to follow their parents into their parent's professions. It doesn't happen in other countries

Do citizens of those countries go to international fora to demand intervention of external international agencies in their country's internal affairs?

Every little thing, some Nigerians will shame their country on the international stage, calling on the UN, USA, UK, EU to intervene. Is it down to colonisation-induced inferiority complex or what. You end up giving foreigners the impression that black people are unable to govern themselves.

Painting the entire judiciary as corrupt is disgraceful. Many judges are some of the hardest working and most poorly paid professionals in Nigeria. Many of them are not corrupt. It is so unfair to paint them all with the same brush.

Just because you're contesting as a Labour party candidate in a forthcoming election, you took to running the image of the entire judiciary through the mud before an international audience.

Are there no corrupt judges in America, Europe, South America etc. Do you see their lawyers running their country 's name through the mud at international conferences and calling for external intervention.

Challenges within the judiciary are not unique to Nigeria. Like other countries we have to find our ways of addressing them locally.

When you run the judiciary, and by implication the Nigerian legal profession down before such an important international audience, is it any surprise that education and work experience obtained in Nigeria is often not recognised abroad?

Do Ghanaian, South African, Kenyan, Indian, Sri Lanka etc lawyers also run to international forums to condemn their country 's judiciary is such generalised way?

Are Nigerian judges more corrupt than Indian judges for example.

The country desperately needs investment, both local and international. How do you think potential international investors will feel hearing your unguarded, unjustified generalisations.

All because you are a Labour Party politician.

You are a disgrace Mr Akpata.

Well, sad to say, the situation is beyond redemption now.
To your tents oh Agbdadorians and cassavarians for ye are just testing the waters.

One of the very few sensible and vibrant omoluabis alive

it will take a miracle for our justice system to be free, what we have there are loyalist.

Thanks to bubu and ebola

Renasurn:

guy you don dey mad oo with this scam

🤐

Kai

DeLaRue:
When you run the judiciary, and by implication the Nigerian legal profession down before such an important international audience, is it any surprise that education and work experience obtained in Nigeria is often not recognised abroad?

Do Ghanaian, South African, Kenyan, Indian, Sri Lanka etc lawyers also run to international forums to condemn their country 's judiciary is such generalised way?

Are Nigerian judges more corrupt than Indian judges for example.

The country desperately needs investment, both local and international. How do you think potential international investors will feel hearing your unguarded, unjustified generalisations.

All because you are a Labour Party politician.

You are a disgrace Mr Akpata.

His disgrace at the polls would be monumental.

What did he do to solve that as the NBA President apart from stealing and abuse of office.

tiswell:
One of the very few sensible and vibrant omoluabis alive

Not that it matters, he is not Yoruba. He is from Edo State.

DeLaRue:
This is not the way to speak of your country at an international forum.

Making unguarded and unqualified statements that denigrate the entire judiciary is ridiculous.

So all children and spouses of judges appointed into the judiciary in Nigeria are unqualified. And Nigeria is the only country where offsprings tend to follow their parents into their parent's professions. It doesn't happen in other countries

Do citizens of those countries go to international fora to demand intervention of external international agencies in their country's internal affairs?

Every little thing, some Nigerians will shame their country on the international stage, calling on the UN, USA, UK, EU to intervene. Is it down to colonisation-induced inferiority complex or what. You end up giving foreigners the impression that black people are unable to govern themselves.

Painting the entire judiciary as corrupt is disgraceful. Many judges are some of the hardest working and most poorly paid professionals in Nigeria. Many of them are not corrupt. It is so unfair to paint them all with the same brush.

Just because you're contesting as a Labour party candidate in a forthcoming election, you took to running the image of the entire judiciary through the mud before an international audience.

Are there no corrupt judges in America, Europe, South America etc. Do you see their lawyers running their country 's name through the mud at international conferences and calling for external intervention.

Challenges within the judiciary are not unique to Nigeria. Like other countries we have to find our ways of addressing them locally.

The same abroad judges that give unbiased judgements ?

Imagine ekweremadu in Nigerian court, he would be free today. You are pathetic.

Truth is bitter, and better said. Countries if they find themselves corrupt, they resign, even up to football executives.

Even South Africa president resign after small corruption challenges. Jacob Zuma.

Nigeria is Nigeria. It need drastic action.

Youths can’t be behaving like this. They need to take it to them if you want change.

DeLaRue:
This is not the way to speak of your country at an international forum.

Making unguarded and unqualified statements that denigrate the entire judiciary is ridiculous.

So all children and spouses of judges appointed into the judiciary in Nigeria are unqualified. And Nigeria is the only country where offsprings tend to follow their parents into their parent's professions. It doesn't happen in other countries

Do citizens of those countries go to international fora to demand intervention of external international agencies in their country's internal affairs?

Every little thing, some Nigerians will shame their country on the international stage, calling on the UN, USA, UK, EU to intervene. Is it down to colonisation-induced inferiority complex or what. You end up giving foreigners the impression that black people are unable to govern themselves.

Painting the entire judiciary as corrupt is disgraceful. Many judges are some of the hardest working and poorly paid professionals in Nigeria. Many of them are not corrupt. It is so unfair to paint them all with the same brush.

Just because you're contesting as a Labour party candidate in a forthcoming election, you took to running the image of the entire judiciary through the mud before an international audience.

Are there no corrupt judges in America, Europe, South America etc. Do you see their lawyers running their country 's name through the mud at international conferences and calling for external intervention.

Challenges within the judiciary is not unique to Nigeria. Like other countries we have to find our ways of addressing them locally.

What is there to hide about your country? Is there a secret that is not known to the whole world? Is it the stealing, or the corruption? Your leaders pack the common patrimony to those countries. Or is it no the drug and certificate issues that have finished whatever image previously remained?

Bros, the man said the truth, no matter where. All citizens who want better societies talk about their countries everywhere. Go and check.

He is a lawyer, so I guess he knows the judiciary better than me. However you go abroad to rundown your country and you wonder why no one takes your country seriously? He wants to be governor, tommorow he will go back to these same foreigners after trashing Nigeria saying come and invest.

Judges are low-key politicians.


The fact that a president appoint them as judges to appeal court, supreme court makes it all political.

Same way power is given to presidents to appoint electoral heads and RECs for states. You should know what that means.

DeLaRue:
This is not the way to speak of your country at an international forum.

Making unguarded and unqualified statements that denigrate the entire judiciary is ridiculous.

So all children and spouses of judges appointed into the judiciary in Nigeria are unqualified. And Nigeria is the only country where offsprings tend to follow their parents into their parent's professions. It doesn't happen in other countries

Do citizens of those countries go to international fora to demand intervention of external international agencies in their country's internal affairs?

Every little thing, some Nigerians will shame their country on the international stage, calling on the UN, USA, UK, EU to intervene. Is it down to colonisation-induced inferiority complex or what. You end up giving foreigners the impression that black people are unable to govern themselves.

Painting the entire judiciary as corrupt is disgraceful. Many judges are some of the hardest working and most poorly paid professionals in Nigeria. Many of them are not corrupt. It is so unfair to paint them all with the same brush.

Just because you're contesting as a Labour party candidate in a forthcoming election, you took to running the image of the entire judiciary through the mud before an international audience.

Are there no corrupt judges in America, Europe, South America etc. Do you see their lawyers running their country 's name through the mud at international conferences and calling for external intervention.

Challenges within the judiciary are not unique to Nigeria. Like other countries we have to find our ways of addressing them locally.

You left the message to attack the messenger. Very myopic of you agbadorians

DeLaRue:


Not that it matters, he is not Yoruba. He is from Edo State.

his main root is Yoruba,they only migrated

The judiciary have been criminally captured

Cantonese:


What is there to hide about your country? Is there a secret that is not known to the whole world? Is it the stealing, or the corruption? Your leaders pack the common patrimony to those countries. Or is it no the drug and certificate issues that have finished whatever image previously remained?

Bros, the man said the truth, no matter where. All citizens who want better societies talk about their countries everywhere. Go and check.

That is not the point. When you go telling all your friends my father is a bad Mann , my mother is a bad woman, my uncle is useless, my cousins are useless. You or your children will want to marry one day and people will say don’t marry from that family o, they are all useless.

You don’t use your own mouth to confirm bad things about your own to outsiders. What was he hoping to gain by ribbishing the Nigerian judiciary internationally? Can they fix it for him. So what was the point?