Judgements in Nigeria monetised, says Fayose

Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State has said that the Nigerian judiciary has been largely compromised, alleging that financial inducement and political manipulations have made many judges and lawyers twist judgement against the innocent.
Fayose who was speaking at the Cathedral Church of Emmanuel, Oke-Isa, Ado Ekiti, during church service of the Ekiti State legal year, lamented that while the judiciary remains the last hope of the masses, the Nigerian judiciary has been failing largely in its duty as defender of the truth owing to undue influence of political interferences and financial inducements.
The governor said: “I make bold to say that the problem in Nigeria today is corruption. The judiciary has the power of life and death‎ but this sensitive arm of government has been compromised and most judgements in Nigeria today are monetised. If the battle against corruption can be won between the Bar and the Bench, it will be won in the society.
“Due to the cancer of financial inducement that has eaten deep into the fabric of our judicial system, it is only in Nigeria that a political armed robbers will orchestrate the trial of somebody before a corrupt judge, all in the name of waging anti- corruption war.
” When there are glaring facts on the table of anti-corruption agencies, they will pretend not to see or look the other way‎ especially if the culprit is a member of their political party or under the directive of power that be. That is why some judges are timid in giving judgments against the ruling party of the day.
” Such individuals are judged on the pages of newspaper and consequently confirmed by the willing judges. Take for instance, after so many evidence before the EFCC that the bank account of the Yobe State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) was credited with money to influence the last governorship election, no action was taken because it is an APC-controlled state.
” It is only in Nigeria that when banks rip-off institutions, they will negotiate with the judiciary. It is only in Nigeria that judges will say they cannot deliver judgement‎ due to the prevailing environment. The corruption in the judiciary is so endemic that judges lobby to be appointed to serve in e‎lection petition tribunals in order to make money and as well influence judgement in favour of their political friends. It gets more worrisome when facts have revealed that most of these judgements were written by lawyers for some compromised judges. Some judges also have cases assigned to them to do hatched job, thereby descending into the arena of unwholesomeness.
” Other instances are when judges have to recommend lawyers to clients. A lot of human rights lawyers have been working in agreement with some judges to destroy the lives of innocent Nigerians for pecuniary benefits and cheap popularity.
“I, therefore, want our judges to understand that after here, there is another judgement. As for me, I have never and will never influence judgement for whatever‎ reason. In Ekiti for instance, I don’t have the telephone numbers of judges.
” If Nigeria is to move forward and for us to have a just society, the judiciary has ‎a major role to play and must be seen to be doing so. This address does not imply that the judiciary is totally devoid of some credible and incorruptible judges whose conducts are commendable.”
Bishop Christopher Omotunde, Anglican Bishop of Ekiti Diocese, in his sermon, urged lawyers to allow the spirit of God, as well as the fear of God, guide them in the discharge of their duty, saying “whatever anyone sows, he would reap”.