Justice now for sale, poor suffer as rich walk free – Sultan of Sokoto laments

Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar, expressed distress over Nigeria's justice system favoring the wealthy while leaving the poor to suffer. Speaking at the Nigerian Bar Association's Annual General Conference in Enugu, the Sultan warned that corruption and inequality are eroding the nation's courts, making justice a commodity that the rich can purchase while the poor become victims.

He cautioned that this imbalance could lead to anger, mistrust, and potential violence, ultimately collapsing public confidence in the court system. The Sultan urged lawyers to prioritize truth and fairness over personal financial gain, as their actions set an example for the public.

Observers note that the skewed justice system not only fuels crime but also discourages investment and undermines democracy. Civil society groups have called for urgent reforms to ensure a transparent judicial process, wider access to legal aid, and stronger oversight of court practices.