President Bola Tinubu says he is proud of Nigerian judiciary, dismissing criticisms and attacks against the judiciary over political and electoral cases as “myopic.” 

“While there may be misgivings here and there, we cannot begin to imagine what our country would have been subjected to if there was no judiciary. I am proud of the accomplishment of our judiciary in the cause of nation-building, both locally and on the global scene,” said Mr Tinubu.

“I wish to observe that in the cause of demonstrating this commitment to the advancement of the rule of law and democracy, especially in political and electoral cases, the judiciary has come under myopic criticism and attacks.” 

Mr Tinubu, who was represented by the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, made this statement at the Judges Conference in Abuja on Monday. 

The president further said, “the judiciary should not be blamed for the failing of the political class. We, as actors, must learn not to portray or analyse the judiciary from the narrow prism that is solely based on our political interests.”

As a patriotic citizen and President, Mr Tinubu said, “I am not oblivious to the challenges hampering the commitment of the judiciary to deepening the rule of law and democracy.” 

The president’s assessment of the judiciary comes barely a month after the Supreme Court rejected fresh evidence on his forgery scandal to affirm his electoral victory, a decision that attracted widespread criticisms from outraged Nigerians.

Contrary to Mr Tinubu’s stance, retired Justice Muhammad Dattijo, during his valedictory speech, made scathing remarks about the Nigerian judiciary, explaining why Nigerians hate the judiciary. 

Mr Dattijo, 70, echoed criticisms against the Nigerian judiciary, lamenting that “public perceptions of the judiciary have over the years become witheringly scornful and monstrously critical.

“It has been in the public space that court officials and judges are easily bribed by litigants to obviate delays and or obtain favourable judgements,” he said.