Corruption Is Deep Rooted in The Judiciary- Lagos Lawyer

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

A Human Rights Lawyer and founder of Stephen and Solomon foundation, Chief Barrister Aigbonosimuan Gabriel Giwa-Amu has stated that there was deep rooted corruption in the judiciary and stressed the urgent need to arrest the situation for the society to move forward.

Chief Giwa-Amu stated this during an interaction with P.M.EXPRESS on the state of the Nation.

Chief Giwa-Amu said that corruption was so deep rooted in the judiciary to the extent that it has infested the whole system right from the ordinary cleaners to the highest officials of the judiciary.

He said it was a well known fact that corruption was being aided by the police officers, registrars and the lawyers especially the senior lawyers who facilitated most acts of corruption in the judiciary.

“It is not the clients that meet the judicial officers to induce them with bribes, rather the lawyers who induce magistrates and judges to obtain judgment through fraudulent means.”

Giwa-Amu noted and explained that there was need to fight against corruption because it was systemic and that anybody can be a victim and be sent to prison without committing any crime.

“The police can come up with a frivolous charge and move such person to court, he will be arraigned and given conditions such as verification of tax and others which the suspect may not likely meet immediately and will be remanded in prison with ease.”

He said the oppressors may even induce the prison officers to remand the victims in the hardest part of the prison to traumatize the victims due to corruption.

However, the Edo State-born chief noted that he was happy the quantum of the corruption was gradually reducing due to the reforms and the fear of being caught. He commended the Lagos State government for the reforms that have taken place in the judiciary and noted that it all started when the present Vice President, Professor Yemi Osibanjo was the attorney General of Lagos State and empowered women to become judges.

On the registration of new laws for reforms in the judiciary, Giwa-Amu said there was no need for that because the Nigerian constitution had enough punitive measures to sanction the culprits.

On the solution to curbing corruption, he said the appointment of officers has to be on merit and not on who you know or political considerations.
He also advised that there has to be incentives by the government to create a conducive environment for the officers to work and not expose them to conditions that will make them aid corruption.