A group of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) has expressed opposition to broad accusations of fraud and corruption against judges and the judiciary, specifically in relation to controversial decisions made by a few judges in political cases. They cautioned those involved to refrain from such actions in the best interest of the country and its citizens. The SANs emphasized that tarnishing the reputation of the nation’s judiciary could potentially lead to anarchy.
Notable Senior Advocates, including Chief Mike Ahamba, Professor Awa Kalu, Mr. Kunle Adegoke, and Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, voiced their displeasure, asserting that condemning the entire judiciary based on the actions of a few judges was unjust. They argued that while some judges had made controversial decisions in political cases, it was unfair to generalize and undermine the majority of judges who diligently carried out their duties.
The lawyers acknowledged that there were instances of judges making mistakes, but they stressed the importance of addressing such issues without disparaging the entire judicial system. They criticized their colleagues who participated in negative campaigns against the judiciary, emphasizing the potential harm to the legitimacy of the third arm of government and the overall perception of the legal system.
The lawyers urged their peers to handle situations where incorrect judgments were rendered with care and recommended alternatives such as critiquing judgments in academic journals rather than resorting to public denigration of judges. They emphasized the need to contribute to the development of legal jurisprudence through constructive criticism and analysis, highlighting the importance of maintaining a balanced perspective on the judiciary’s performance.