Nigerian Judiciary No Longer the Last Hope for the Poor, But for the Wealthy — Attorney General Fagbemi

In a recent address during the groundbreaking ceremony of the N37 billion Abuja Division of the Appeal Court Complex in Daki-Biyu, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, voiced concerns about the state of the Nigerian judiciary. The event was also attended by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.

Fagbemi criticized the judiciary for now serving the interests of politicians and influential individuals rather than the common man. His remarks came during the launch of the court complex, a significant project approved by President Bola Tinubu with N30 billion allocated from the 2024 budget. The project is expected to be completed by September 2025.

“The judiciary is no longer the last hope of the common man alone; it is now predominantly the last hope of the wealthy and powerful,” Fagbemi stated. He emphasized that the judiciary’s role has shifted away from serving the common people to favoring those with influence, particularly during election periods.

Despite his concerns, Fagbemi expressed hope that the new court complex would serve as a bastion for truth and the protection of citizens’ rights. “Gone are the days when the judiciary was seen solely as the refuge for the common man. It is now a domain where the affluent seek justice and protection,” he concluded.