The National President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), has said that judicial corruption remains one of the gravest threats to Nigeria’s democracy.

He stated that comprehensive reforms were required to reverse the ugly trend and restore public confidence in the justice system.

Osigwe spoke at the 17th Ralph Opara Memorial Lecture, organised by the National Association of Seadogs (NAS), in Enugu at the weekend, outlining practical solutions to rebuild trust in the courts.

He warned that judicial corruption remains part of the threats to Nigeria’s democracy, rule of law and social justice, lamenting that citizens are increasingly losing faith in the courts.

He said: “Judicial corruption is not merely a legal problem; it is a direct assault on democracy, social justice and the rule of law. Through deliberate reforms and robust institutional safeguards, we can rebuild confidence in the system.”

The NBA boss identified strict merit-based appointment of judges as a cornerstone of judicial reform, emphasising that competence, integrity and professional excellence must drive judicial selection processes.

He also emphasised the need to strengthen judicial independence, noting that insulating the courts from political interference is critical to restoring credibility and ensuring fairness in judicial decisions.

Osigwe called for continuous training and capacity building for judicial officers, emphasising that modern justice delivery requires exposure to global best practice, ethical standards and emerging legal technologies.

He recommended a full digital transformation of the justice system through technology-driven case management to reduce human interference, improve transparency and accelerate case resolution.

According to him, efficient case handling and a reduction in case backlog would improve public perception of the justice system and expand access to justice, especially for poor and vulnerable citizens.

He also urged stronger enforcement of ethical rules and more effective oversight by bodies such as the National Judicial Council (NJC), noting that firm sanctions would deter corrupt practices.

He pointed to the need for collective societal action, urging lawyers, litigants, and citizens to reject corruption and support integrity-driven justice processes.

Osigwe concluded that building a credible, corruption-free judiciary is essential to Nigeria’s long-term stability, economic growth, and global reputation.

“The survival of our democracy and social justice system depends on a judiciary that delivers fair and timely justice without fear or favour,” he said

Also speaking, NAS leader Dr Joseph Oteri said the lecture was designed to provoke national reflection and stimulate reforms needed to strengthen democratic institutions.

He said the memorial lecture honours the legacy of Ralph Opara (MON), a renowned broadcaster and founding member of NAS, who stood for truth, courage, accountability and social justice.

Oteri noted that the theme of the lecture was timely, stressing that confronting corruption within the judiciary is necessary to preserve the institution’s sanctity, independence and moral authority.

He added that NAS remains committed to promoting democratic values, human dignity and social justice through sustained civic engagement and advocacy.

The Ralph Opara memorial lecture series was introduced by the NAS in recognition of his lifetime of achievement with the aim to keep his faith alive, as well as to continue to provide a medium to give vent to the views for which he stood for.