Judicial Integrity at Stake: Mazi Afam Osigwe SAN's Bold Stand Against Corruption in Nigeria

Pilot Navigation
Aug 17
3 min read

Date: 8/17/2025

Time: 3:13 PM.

Post by: Pilot Navigation Post, media Room.

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, condemned judges who accept gifts or favors from officials for favorable rulings, calling it corruption that undermines judicial integrity and public trust.

Mazi Afam Osigwe, SAN, stressed that judicial independence is crucial. He warned that any inducement undermines justice and urged judges to reject such offers. He called on the government to provide adequate funding and infrastructure for the judiciary transparently and institutionally, not through personal gifts or favors.

This issue is a profound cultural and spiritual challenge, not just a legal crisis. In Igbo cosmology, justice is sacred, embodied by the principle of Ọfọ na Ogu, a holy covenant. A judge is more than a public servant; they are a vessel of ancestral truth. Accepting gifts that compromise their judgment desecrates this sacred role.

Examples of Judicial Ethics Violations in Nigeria:

1. Bribery via Legal Counsel:

Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) lamented the pervasive nature of bribery within the legal sphere, noting that "stories of counsel acting as a conduit for the giving of bribes to judicial officers are rife." This troubling situation suggests that some lawyers have taken on the role of intermediaries to facilitate the transfer of bribes to judges in exchange for rulings that favor their clients (2025),

2. Procurement-Linked Judicial Corruption

A Chatham House study exposes how judicial bribery is linked to procurement fraud, with judges allegedly protecting corrupt contractors or inflating contract values for kickbacks. This undermines public trust and diverts essential national resources. (2024).

3. Non-removal of Judges Under Investigation

Despite public protests, judges accused of bribery and corruption remain in their positions, highlighting a failure in accountability and tolerance for unethical behavior, eroding public confidence.

4. Gifts from Governors and Politicians

Judges receiving lavish gifts, such as cars and houses, from state governors or federal officials raises concerns about judicial independence and potential bias. These gifts, often labeled as "welfare" or "support," particularly impact critical decisions, including the controversial 2023 presidential election judgments.

Why This Matters

These violations undermine the legal system, making the rule of law negotiable and reducing justice to a commodity, thus compromising societal principles.

Mazi Afam Osigwe's Stance and Actions on Judicial Gifts

Public Condemnation of Gifts

Osigwe condemns governors and ministers giving gifts to judges, calling it:

- "Unconstitutional"

- "Demeaning"

- A threat to judicial independence and dignity

He criticizes public gift-giving spectacles, stating they undermine judicial autonomy.

Advocacy for Budgetary Independence

Osigwe argues that judicial needs should be met through independent budgets, not executive gifts, to maintain impartiality.

Call for National Dialogue

He urges a national dialogue to address this issue, encouraging the judiciary to resist executive "benevolence" and reclaim its integrity.

What This Means for Reform