Former Federal Commissioner for Information and South-South leader, Chief Edwin Clark, has called for a comprehensive overhaul of Nigeria’s judicial system, warning that failure to do so could lead to the collapse of the institution.
In an open letter to newly appointed Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, Clark urged her to use her tenure to address the growing concerns surrounding corruption and dysfunction within the judiciary and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
Clark, a 97-year-old elder statesman and member of the NBA since 1966, expressed hope that Justice Kekere-Ekun’s leadership would bring about much-needed reforms. He lamented that previous attempts to revamp the judiciary, including efforts by former CJN Justice Dahiru Musdapher, were left unfinished. “It has become imperative for you to reorganize the Supreme Court and its associate bodies to restore the past glory of the judiciary,” Clark wrote, praising Justice Kekere-Ekun’s commitment, dedication, and loyalty to the country.
Clark recounted his personal experiences growing up during a time when the judiciary was seen as a beacon of integrity, a profession “next to God.” However, he decried the current state of the judiciary, citing corruption scandals, undue political influence, and the mistreatment of former CJN Justice Walter Onoghen as evidence of the decay.
He pointed to numerous troubling developments, including allegations that politicians have influenced judicial decisions, and urged the new CJN to address these issues swiftly to restore public trust in the system.
“My Lord, we the people of Nigeria feel that our country will fail as a nation if it is not restructured, but it will also fail if the judiciary is not reformed,” he concluded, expressing hope that Justice Kekere-Ekun’s appointment marks the beginning of a new chapter for Nigeria’s judicial arm.
