Peter Obi of the Labour Party has berated the Nigerian judiciary, saying that “justice” has been “commodified” and delivered in favour of the “highest bidder.”

Nigerian “judiciary today still boasts of a few outstanding judges, there is an undeniable decline in our judicial system,” Mr Obi said. “This decline poses a significant threat to the future of Nigeria. Justice is increasingly commodified, and delivered in favour of the highest bidder.”

Mr Obi, former Anambra governor, said this in a statement shared on his X account on Wednesday, recounting his “keynote speech at the fifth memorial of Justice Anthony Nnaemeka Aniagolu, held at the Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu on Tuesday.

Lamenting corruption in the Nigerian judiciary, Mr Obi said judges like the late Mr Aniagolu must be emulated for their exemplary service and other qualities.

“We must draw inspiration from their exemplary service,” Mr Obi said. “We must strive to emulate their dedication to integrity, fairness, respect for the rule of law, transparency, humility, and the dispensation of justice.”

Mr Obi’s criticisms of the Nigerian judiciary and judges echoes 

retired Justice Muhammad Dattijo’s.

During his valedictory speech in 2023, Mr Dattijo, 70, made scathing remarks about the Nigerian judiciary, explaining why Nigerians hate the judiciary. 

“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,” Mr Dattijo said.