Court Judgment Now a ‘Purchasable Commodity’; Rich Nigerians Commit Crimes Freely, Sultan Tells NBA
Court Judgment — The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, has once again drawn national attention to what he described as the worsening state of corruption and inequality in Nigeria’s judiciary. Speaking on Sunday at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference in Enugu, the revered monarch warned that justice in Nigeria is gradually becoming a privilege reserved only for the rich, while the poor are left to suffer systemic injustice.
PulseNets learnt that the Sultan criticised what he called a “growing culture of impunity” within the justice system, stressing that the wealthy often evade accountability with ease.
“Today in Nigeria, justice is increasingly becoming a purchasable commodity,” the Sultan declared. “The poor are becoming victims of miscarriage of justice, while the rich commit crimes and walk the streets scot-free.”
Sultan Warns of Impunity and Collapse of Trust
The Sultan told PulseNets that lawyers across the country must rise above selfish or financial interests and recommit themselves to defending the rule of law. According to him, the NBA bears a crucial responsibility in ensuring that both the powerful elite and the ordinary Nigerian are treated equally before the law.
“You are resolving to uphold the highest principles of the rule of law to ensure that everyone, including those in power, is subject to and accountable under the law. If we are able to do this, we would have addressed the core of the crisis of governance in this country,” he stressed.
He further cautioned that the collapse of trust in Nigeria’s judiciary could push citizens into taking matters into their own hands, sparking widespread anger and possible violence. “It is only when the legal profession leads by example that the public can trust the system again,” he warned.
Widespread Concerns Over Corruption in Nigeria’s Justice System
Observers who spoke to PulseNets noted that the Sultan’s remarks reflect long-standing concerns about corruption, judicial inequality, and weak institutions that continue to undermine Nigeria’s democracy. Civil society reports consistently highlight the reality of overcrowded prisons across the country, where thousands of Nigerians languish in custody for years awaiting trial—many of them unable to afford bail or proper legal representation. In contrast, wealthy offenders accused of serious crimes often evade punishment entirely.
Analysts told PulseNets that a justice system skewed in favour of the rich not only fuels crime and insecurity but also discourages local and foreign investment while eroding faith in Nigeria’s democratic governance. Calls for urgent reform have been growing louder in recent years, with experts recommending measures such as transparent court processes, stronger judicial oversight, and the expansion of legal aid services for underprivileged citizens.
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By placing judicial corruption and inequality at the centre of the NBA’s annual gathering, the Sultan of Sokoto has once again underscored the urgent need for sweeping reforms to restore credibility, fairness, and integrity in Nigeria’s justice system. His intervention, observers believe, serves as both a wake-up call to the legal profession and a reminder that without a trusted judiciary, Nigeria’s democracy and governance risk further decline.
