In a recent statement via his official X account, Chidi Odinkalu, a law professor and former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, has responded to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s criticism of the Nigerian judiciary.
Obasanjo, speaking at the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at Yale University, expressed deep concern over the state of the judiciary in Nigeria.
He described it as a “very pale version” of its former respected self and accused politicians of openly rigging elections and telling their opponents to “go to court” because they know the judiciary has been compromised.
“The judiciary in Nigeria is a very pale version of its once internationally esteemed self. Politicians are rigging elections openly, ask rivals to go to court because they’re aware they’ve completely compromised the judiciary system. A number of judges are in the pocket of politicians, and judgments are not by the rule of law but for the highest bidder,” Obasanjo stated.
Odinkalu shared his reaction to Obasanjo’s statements and highlighted the significance of the comments and their reflection on the judiciary’s current state.
“President Obasanjo’s keynote to the Chinua Achebe Leadership Forum at @Yale, had this to say about the #NigerianJudiciary,” Odinkalu wrote.
Obasanjo’s criticism has brought widespread discussion about the judiciary’s independence in Nigeria, many observers agree with his assessment, pointing out the growing public distrust in judicial rulings, especially on electoral matters.