Stop sales of judgments in courts now, CISLAC raises alarm over corruption in Nigeria’s judiciary
*Wants nation's courts to rise above allegations of judgement buying, others *Calls for financial scrutiny of judicial officers, investigation of judges
By KEMI KASUMU
He cited the ruling which cleared former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, despite testimony from former Minister of Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, that N2.3 billion was delivered to Fayose in cash using two private jets. Other cases struck out by Justice Aneke include a $140,000 fraud case involving Abdullahi Babalele.
In what appears to be its effort to join the general allegations of sales of judgments by some courts in Nigeria, the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), the Nigerian chapter of Transparency International (TI), has raised serious concerns over the growing perception of judicial corruption in the country.
The international civil society organisation has, therefore, warned that this trend poses a significant threat to the nation’s anti-corruption efforts, democratic stability, and the rule of law.
The concerns were raised through a statement titled, “CISLAC RAISES ALARM OVER PERCEIVED JUDICIAL CORRUPTION, CALLS FOR ACCOUNTABILITY AND INTEGRITY IN NIGERIA’S JUSTICE SYSTEM”, sent to The DEFENDER on Thursday July 24, 2025.
According to the statement signed by the Executive Director of CISLAC and Head of Transparency International Nigeria, Comrade Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), the organisation lamented recent developments in the judiciary, which it said have undermined the credibility of law enforcement agencies.
It specifically spoke to how they affect public confidence in the ability of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to truly fight epidemic corruption that is main enemy of the nation.
It is more concerned as the activities of these courts are causing the agencies all of the embarrass despite having invested significant resources, time, and effort in prosecuting high-profile corruption cases only for such cases to be struck out by the courts.
Comrade Rafsanjani particularly raised concerns about the rulings of Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court, who has dismissed several high-profile corruption cases despite what CISLAC described as “impeccable evidence.”
He cited the case involving former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu, over the alleged misappropriation of N22.8 billion, as well as the ruling which cleared former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, despite testimony from former Minister of Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, that N2.3 billion was delivered to Fayose in cash using two private jets. Other cases struck out by Justice Aneke include a $140,000 fraud case involving Abdullahi Babalele, son-in-law of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; a N322 million money laundering charge against Senator Peter Nwaoboshi; and the N12.3 billion case against the Chairman of Honeywell Group, Dr. Oba Otudeko.
Comrade Rafsanjani said these rulings cast a dark shadow over the justice system and recall the controversial case of former Delta State Governor, James Ibori, who was acquitted in Nigeria but later convicted on similar charges in a foreign court.
He stressed that no investor would be confident in a system where the judiciary is seen as unethical or as shielding corrupt public officials.
He also called for financial scrutiny of judicial officers, urging the EFCC, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), and related agencies to investigate judges whose lifestyles appear to be inconsistent with their legitimate earnings.
He alleged that some judicial officers may be benefitting from undue political influence, including luxury housing allocations allegedly facilitated by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, a development CISLAC described as compromising the independence of the judiciary.
CISLAC further urged the National Judicial Council (NJC) to restore discipline, integrity, and accountability within the judiciary, stating that the Council must not be silent while public confidence in the courts erodes.
It also called on the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to enforce regular and transparent assets declaration by all public officials, including judges and judicial officers, as required by law.
“The judiciary must rise above allegations of inducement and partisanship,” Rafsanjani said. “Nigerians deserve a justice system that upholds the rule of law and protects the rights of the people, not one that serves the interests of the powerful. If the judiciary fails, democracy and justice are both at risk.”
CISLAC concluded with a strong call for collective civic vigilance, urging citizens, the media, and civil society to hold the judiciary to higher standards of transparency and accountability.
According to Rafsanjani, the time to act is now before judicial credibility is irreparably damaged in the eyes of Nigerians and the international community.
Responding to an internet call by The DEFENDER to further seek clarification on the statement, Rafsanjani, who spoke from a foreign location abroad, said “What is happening is of no difference from sales of judgments” as he said, “These guys are not interested in fighting corruption but power.”
