Nigeria may collapse without functional judiciary, Ozekhome warns

Prof. Mike Ozekhome, SAN has warned that Nigeria is heading toward anarchy except necessary machinery is put in place to ensure a functional judiciary system.

Speaking at the 2024 Conference of the National Association of Judiciary Correspondents (NAJUC) held in Abuja on Thursday, Ozekhome hinted that the judiciary remains the best arm of government which must be well protected, warning that any failure to that will see Nigeria collapse like a pack of cards.

The lawyer described the judiciary as key to a stable society that must be kept as a unit, stressing that the existence of Nigeria as a nation lies in running an efficient judiciary system.

“I still want to believe that despite all the issues the judiciary may have, it remains the best of the three arms of government. If you remove the judiciary, Nigeria will collapse like a pack of cards,” he warned.

Ozekhome said the court must be allowed to carry out its role in enforcing judgments until set aside by a higher court, adding that the courts held the balance of scale between feuding parties, otherwise, there may be chaos in the country.

“The role of the courts is very sacred in the functioning of society and must be held with the highest esteem,” he said while charging the judiciary to live up to expectations and ensure that their judgments reflect justice.

He also advised judges to avoid attending occasions organised by politically exposed persons with cases before them, just as he enjoined them to eschew corruption under any guise.

According to him, the time has come for judges to form an association to defend themselves against unfounded allegations.

He called on lawyers to resist the temptation of writing incessant petitions against judges, urging them to instead appeal cases.