Police, customs, military collected less bribes in 2023 compared to Nigerian judges: Report
Nigerian judges and magistrates received the highest amount of bribes among public officials in 2023, surpassing the police, customs, and military personnel, a report by the country’s national statistical office said.
The Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS), in its corruption pattern and trend in Nigeria for 2023, ranked judges as first among collectors of cash bribes among other public officials.
“There are large variations in the size of bribes paid by citizens, according to the types of public officials who receive them,” NBS said in the report released Thursday.
“Among all types of public officials for which there was sufficient data, with an average of NGN 31,000, the largest cash bribes were paid to judges and magistrates, followed by customs or immigration service officers (NGN17,800) and members of the armed forces (NGN16,600).”
It added, “By contrast, much smaller average amounts were paid to doctors, nurses and midwives (NGN 6,000), public utility officers (NGN 4,600) and other health workers (NGN 2,900).”
The survey also records a staggering N721 billion in bribes collected by Nigerian public officials, adding, “Average cash bribe paid in Nigeria in 2023 amounted to NGN 8,284.”
The survey uncovers a troubling hierarchy of corruption in Nigerian public institutions, with judges entrusted with upholding justice being receivers of the largest bribes, echoing the public perception of a corrupt judiciary.
This revelation follows recent comments from the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Lateef Fagbemi, who lamented that the judiciary is no longer the hope of the common man, but “it is also, or majorly now, the last hope of the big shots.”
Before the release of the NBS report, in 2023, retired Justice Muhammad Dattijo, in his valedictory speech, condemned the judiciary as corrupt and responsible for public disillusionment.
“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 asserted.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Uncategorized
ActionAid urges FG, states to prioritise inclusive economic recovery
Mr Mamedu urged governments to strengthen security in farming communities and along transportation routes.
States
36-year-old suspect arrested for alleged transformer vandalism in Calabar
The command’s spokesperson said the incident occurred following a transformer explosion in the area.
NationWide
Buratai seeks improved inter-agency collaboration to fight terrorism
He emphasised that intelligence sharing should become an institutional obligation.
Economy
Africa’s digital payments economy to hit $1.5 trillion by 2030, Mastercard says
The report identified Nigeria, South Africa, Morocco and Kenya as countries facing distinct cybersecurity challenges.
Economy
IPO: Dangote Refinery extends offer period by two weeks
The extension follows exceptionally strong interest from a broad spectrum of eligible investors across Africa and international markets.
Anti-Corruption
EFCC arraigns Nigerian-American for alleged $320,000 vehicle import fraud
Mr Adegoke, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
