HURIWA Urges NJC to Tackle Judicial Corruption in Nigeria

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has urged the National Judicial Council (NJC) to create a robust and transparent internal anti-corruption mechanism in collaboration with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). This mechanism is intended to investigate, expose, and prosecute judicial officers involved in corruption.

HURIWA referenced a warning from retired Supreme Court Justice Amina Adamu Augie, who stated that corruption is degrading Nigerian courts. Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko, the national coordinator of HURIWA, warned that judicial corruption threatens public confidence and constitutional democracy.

HURIWA stressed that as Nigeria approaches another election cycle, it is crucial to restore faith in the judiciary to prevent citizens from resorting to self-help, which could destabilize the nation. The association called for the NJC to treat judicial corruption with the seriousness it deserves, rather than as an internal disciplinary issue when credible evidence of criminal conduct is present.