Friday, July 10, 2026

CHIDI ODINKALU

Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, a lawyer, is co-convener of Nigeria Mourns. He writes in his personal capacity.
January 11, 2026

Mr Justice Steppin’ Razor

If you wanna live – treat me goodIf you wanna live, live –I beg you treat me good I’m like a walking razorDon’t you watch my sizeI’m dangerous, said I’m dangerous

judges
January 4, 2026

President Tinubu’s legal practitioners bill seeks capture and reprisal

If it gets adopted in its present form, the new law will be a shrine to institutional capture.

Tinubu and CJN
December 28, 2025

Why the CJN must end abuse of power in judicial appointments

One tweep describes what passes for judicial appointment process in Nigeria as “filiality via conjugality”.

Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Olatokunbo
December 21, 2025

The Supreme Court’s emergency politics

It was an odd way to phrase arguably the most cynical and gratuitous expansion of presidential power in the history of the Nigerian Supreme Court.

Nigeria Supreme Court Justices (Credit: NJC)
December 7, 2025

Police state or state police?

State police will not be served à la carte, nor will it be a matter of variable geometry. Every state governor will see it as a necessary accessory of power.

Armed female officers
November 23, 2025

On whose mandate do judges stand?

The question he raised is simple: On whose mandate do judges stand? The judges cannot duck the issue posed by the president’s symbolic choice of battleground.

Bola Tinubu at judges’ conference
November 16, 2025

Forty-five days that changed elections in Africa?

How the continent’s leaders and institutions handle the aftermath could have serious implications for the stability of the continent.

Samia; Election violence in Tanzania
November 9, 2025

Chidi Odinkalu: James Omotosho: A judge and his a la carte law

In January 2024, James Omotosho voided the Appropriations of Rivers State and issued a most remarkable à la carte judicial orders restraining the state governor.

Justice James Omotosho
November 2, 2025

Independent and Unaccountable: A new code for Nigeria’s judiciary

The code of conduct for judicial officers in Nigeria contains five mentions of the words “independent” or “independence” and obligates them to observe “a high standard of conduct”.

judges
October 26, 2025

Ese Oruru’s graduation marks triumph over sexual exploitation

Rights groups across Nigeria have widely hailed her recent graduation from the University of Ilorin.

Ese Oruru and Yunusa Dahiru