Editorial
There is no doubt that a corrupt and compromised judiciary can really mess things up for a society.The Judiciary is like the foundation of a building and when it starts to crumble, and the effects are widespread and very serious on the society.
First,a corrupt and compromised judiciary totally erodes public trust. When people feel like justice is for sale, they lose faith in the entire system – the courts, the government,and everything.This can lead to people taking matters into their own hands, which usually do not augur well for law and order.
There is also the issue of impunity. A compromised judiciary means that criminals, corrupt politicians, and fraudsters can often escape accountability, especially if they have money or influence. This creates a culture where some people believe they can get away with anything. Such mentality emboldens unlawful acts and perpetuates more corruption.
It equally creates a seriously unequal justice system. The wealthy and powerful can manipulate outcomes in their favour, while the poor and vulnerable are often denied their basic rights.It can occasion a situation whereby innocent people might end up in jail, and the guilty walk free, which is just heartbreaking.
On the economic front, it is a huge deterrent for foreign investment. Investors want to operate in places where contracts or business engagements are enforced fairly,and disputes resolved impartially by the courts. If the judiciary can not be trusted, investment capital will just flow elsewhere, hurting economic growth and development.
Where a compromised or corrupt judiciary exists, human rights also take a massive hit. When the judiciary fails to protect the vulnerable or even collaborates with corrupt officials to suppress dissent, it enables state-sponsored violence, unlawful detentions, and the suppression of freedoms. It basically stops being a check on executive and legislative powers
It is imperative to point out that the impact is not just internal alone.Cases like the P&ID arbitration saga, where a multi-billion-dollar award against Nigeria was overturned in London only after fraud was proven, show how a compromised legal system can lead to a “global vote of no confidence.” Such developments really tarnishes a nation’s international standing.
Even the legal profession itself gets tainted. Some lawyers have been implicated in encouraging corrupt practices by bribing judges or using their relationships to influence cases. This means the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has a crucial role to play in tackling this issue through reforms and upholding ethical standards .
Nigerian Horn is of the strong view that the survival of democracy hinges on an incorruptible judiciary that can command respect both locally and internationally. When justice is compromised, it destroys the moral fabric of society and causes incalculable distress to individuals, undermining the very foundation of a nation.
In the absence of an incorruptible judiciary, the Hobbesian state invariably becomes imminent – where life becomes nasty, brutish, and poor.
