By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
The Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), the Nigerian chapter of Transparency International (TI), has issued a strong call for urgent reforms within Nigeria’s judiciary, warning that growing perceptions of judicial corruption are undermining the country’s anti-corruption war, democratic integrity, and rule of law.
In a statement signed by CISLAC’s Executive Director and Head of Transparency International Nigeria, Comrade Auwal Ibrahim Musa (Rafsanjani), the organization decried the dismissal of several high-profile corruption cases, despite what it described as overwhelming evidence presented by law enforcement agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
CISLAC expressed particular concern over recent rulings by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court, which it said have significantly weakened the credibility of Nigeria’s anti-corruption institutions.
Among the cases highlighted was the dismissal of charges against former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Adesola Amosu, involving the alleged embezzlement of ₦22.8 billion, and the acquittal of former Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, despite witness testimony from former Minister of Defence, Musiliu Obanikoro, who claimed to have delivered ₦2.3 billion to Fayose via private aircraft.
Additional cases struck out by the same judge include a $140,000 fraud case involving Abdullahi Babalele, the son-in-law of former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; a ₦322 million money laundering case against Senator Peter Nwaoboshi; and a ₦12.3 billion fraud allegation against the Chairman of Honeywell Group, Dr. Oba Otudeko.
“These rulings cast a troubling shadow over the judiciary and recall the infamous case of former Delta State Governor, James Ibori, who was acquitted in Nigeria but later convicted in the United Kingdom on similar charges,” Rafsanjani stated.
“No investor or citizen can have confidence in a judicial system perceived as compromised or beholden to vested interests.”
CISLAC further called for the financial scrutiny of judicial officers, urging the EFCC, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), and other relevant agencies to investigate judges whose lifestyles appear inconsistent with their known sources of income.
The organization also expressed concern over alleged political interference, including claims that some judges may have received luxury housing allocations through the Federal Capital Territory Administration under Minister Nyesom Wike, a development CISLAC believes could erode judicial independence.
Rafsanjani called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to take immediate steps to restore integrity, discipline, and accountability within the judiciary.
He also urged the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to enforce transparent and timely asset declarations by all public officials, including judges and judicial officers, in accordance with constitutional requirements.
“The judiciary must rise above allegations of inducement and political partisanship,” Rafsanjani emphasized.
“Nigerians deserve a justice system that protects their rights and upholds the rule of law, not one that appears to shield the powerful from accountability. If the judiciary fails, democracy itself is at risk.”
CISLAC concluded by urging collective civic vigilance, calling on the media, citizens, and civil society to demand higher standards of transparency, integrity, and professionalism from the judiciary.
According to Rafsanjani, the moment to act is now, before trust in Nigeria’s justice system is irreparably damaged both at home and abroad.
