“The Judiciary Is the Last Hope of the Elite, Not the Common Man” — Femi Falana

Human rights lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana, has said that the Nigerian judiciary no longer represents the interests of ordinary citizens, describing it instead as the “last hope of the elite.”

Speaking with journalists on Wednesday after a visit to Governor Alex Otti in Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South Local Government Area of Abia State, Falana dismissed the popular belief that the judiciary is the last hope of the common man. He argued that most Nigerians lack the financial means to pursue justice in court, leaving the legal system largely accessible to the wealthy and politically connected.

“People make the mistake of saying the judiciary is the last hope of the common man,” he said. “The common man has no means to go to court. The judiciary is the last hope of the elite, the bourgeoisie.”

Falana expressed frustration over the persistent delays in Nigeria’s justice system, where cases often linger unresolved for decades. He noted that while political cases are fast-tracked because they are time-bound, civil and criminal cases involving ordinary citizens drag on for 20, 30, or even 40 years. He described the situation as a mockery of justice and called for urgent reforms to ensure timely adjudication.

He urged governments to invest in traditional and community-based systems of dispute resolution, which he said continue to serve the majority of Nigerians. “Most of our people do not go to Western courts; they patronize traditional rulers and community leaders to solve problems,” Falana said. “Governments, including that of Abia, must reform customary courts and the palaces of traditional rulers where people resolve their disputes daily.”

Falana advocated for a dual judicial structure that integrates formal courts with traditional justice systems, arguing that the latter is more efficient and culturally relevant. He described such mechanisms as “African disciplinary solutions,” which existed before colonial rule and offered swift, final resolutions without prolonged appeals.

He urged federal and state governments to strengthen these systems so that justice becomes more accessible and meaningful to ordinary Nigerians. “It is not enough to satisfy the elite,” he said. “You must satisfy the people and ensure that the judicial system they understand is supported by government.”

During his visit, Falana commended Governor Otti’s administration for visible improvements in infrastructure, education, and healthcare across Abia State. “I have seen good roads, hospitals, and schools, and the people I spoke with are satisfied,” he said. “But the governor must not relent. Public trust comes with responsibility, and we will not spare him if he disappoints.”