Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, National Chairman of the Zenith Labour Party (ZLP), has expressed strong support for the Chief Justice of Nigeria’s (CJN) recent commitment to rid the judiciary of corrupt practices. In a press conference addressing growing concerns over judicial misconduct, Nwanyanwu condemned the rampant issuance of contradictory injunctions and accused judicial officers of turning lower courts into “enterprises” where judgements are for sale to the highest bidder.
Nwanyanwu specifically highlighted the disturbing trend of lower courts defying established Supreme Court decisions, leading to a breakdown of the principle of stare decisis, a legal doctrine that mandates lower courts to follow precedents set by higher courts. “The lower courts, with the greatest respect, have become an enterprise where the highest bidder gets judgement or any injunction at will,” Nwanyanwu lamented. He stressed that even in cases where the law is clear, some lawyers and judges collude to manipulate the system for personal gain.
In particular, he pointed out the alarming practice of “forum shopping,” where litigants and their lawyers seek out courts they believe will provide favorable rulings, often resulting in conflicting judgements on the same issue. Citing the example of the Rivers State local government elections, Nwanyanwu criticized the conflicting court rulings that either supported or opposed the election’s conduct, calling it a “black market injunction.” He emphasized that these kinds of legal manipulations undermine public trust in the judiciary.
“The judiciary must be careful of the politicians,” Nwanyanwu warned, adding that the integrity of the courts is being compromised by judges who engage with litigants in inappropriate social settings. He recalled his time practicing law with the late Chief Rotimi Williams, a respected legal luminary, noting that judges in the past maintained a strict distance from litigants and societal functions to preserve their impartiality.
Nwanyanwu’s criticism also extended to senior lawyers who, he claimed, exploit their clients’ ignorance for financial gain by persuading them to file duplicitous cases. He described this as a growing scandal that has embarrassed the judiciary, particularly in federal and FCT high courts, where corrupt practices have allegedly flourished.
“The CJN, with her no-nonsense reputation, must put her feet down and clean the Augean stable,” Nwanyanwu urged, referring to the difficult but necessary task of flushing out corrupt judges from the system. He noted that the CJN’s stance on zero tolerance for corruption has raised hopes for much-needed reform, expressing confidence that with decisive action, her legacy could be defined by restoring the judiciary’s credibility.
Nwanyanwu’s remarks reflect the deep frustration among legal professionals and the public over the erosion of judicial integrity. He called on the CJN to implement reforms that would reassure Nigerians that the judiciary remains the last hope of the common man. According to Nwanyanwu, if the current wave of judicial corruption continues unchecked, it could lead to a collapse of democracy, with the judiciary bearing the brunt of the blame.
The ZLP chairman’s call to action comes at a time when confidence in Nigeria’s judicial system is at an all-time low, with accusations of bias, corruption, and incompetence regularly surfacing in high-profile cases. Nwanyanwu’s support for the CJN’s anti-corruption drive underscores the urgency of reforming a judiciary that many fear is on the brink of losing its role as an impartial arbiter of justice.
In his closing remarks, Nwanyanwu urged the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (SIEC) to go ahead with the local government elections despite attempts by certain parties to halt the process through dubious legal means. He emphasized that as long as the law is clear, no court can legally prevent the conduct of an election by either the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) or the SIEC.
Nwanyanwu’s message was clear: the judiciary must remain above reproach, and those who seek to corrupt it must be held accountable. His strong backing of the CJN’s anti-corruption stance signals a growing demand for accountability within Nigeria’s legal system.