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Politicians Weaponising, Corrupting Judiciary In Nigeria – Odinkalu, CSOs, Others Kick
… Urge citizens to take action
Former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, says the deteriorating integrity of Nigeria’s judiciary is driven by ‘politicization of Judicial appointments, lack of independence, amongst other issues.’
Prof. Odinkalu raised the concern during a radio town hall meeting on Public Sector Integrity in Nigeria, organized by the Progressive Impact Organisation for Community Development, PRIMORG, at the weekend in Abuja.
He said politicians have captured the Judiciary with the independence of the institution gone, stressing that Nigerians must understand that the judiciary has been politically weaponized and corrupted by elites.
The human rights activist insisted that the judiciary was no longer serving the purpose of the masses but politicians and their associates whose children, cronies, and mistresses were getting appointments to the Bench.
His words:” It is not suitable for the Chief Justice of Nigeria to appoint his nephew to the Court of Appeal and his son to the Federal High Court or for the President of the Court of Appeal to appoint her son-in-law to the Bench and her daughter appointed to Plateau State High Court where she comes from. We are looking for the same people to protect us, and something is fundamentally wrong with them and the masses.
“Everyone should understand that the judiciary has been captured, politically weaponized and corrupted.”
Asked if reforms can restore the deteriorating integrity of Nigeria’s judiciary, Odinkalu said:” There are no reforms that will work unless we (Nigerians) deepen the de-politicization of the judiciary. This is because they (politicians) have captured the administrative processes which should have been performed in disciplining the judiciary – the Chief Justice is the owner of that one.
“They’ve captured the politics. The judges and politicians use the executive arm of the government to unseat people they don’t like, putting the ones they like in power. They have also captured the legislative process. The legislators are afraid of the judges,” He stressed.
Prof Odinkalu called on Nigerians to understand the issues and realize their responsibilities, adding that citizens are not as disempowered as they think; hence, the onus is now on the people to go and get back the institution of justice that politicians and elites have captured.
Civil Society organizations and other participants during the town hall meeting spoke extensively on the administration of justice in Nigeria amidst a growing trust deficit.
Emmanuel Bosah, Programme Manager at Integrity Organisation, noted that a lot of political will is needed to cure the rot in the judiciary currently while calling for judicial reforms and citizens to be empowered with the knowledge to follow up and hold the system to account.
A public good advocate and Security and energy Consultant, Kevin Fyneface, called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, to come clean with appointments in the judiciary and work towards rebuilding the trust of the third arm of government. He lamented that Nigeria is deeply rooted in nepotism and cronyism, noting that “where cronyism thrives, you will find corruption as the order of the day.”
On his part, a public servant and 2020 Integrity icon, Philip Ezegbulam, advised his colleagues both at the federal and state levels to resist the temptation of corruption, while the Programme Manager of Accountability Lab Nigeria, Ehi Idakwo, urged Nigerians not to be docile but proactive to corruption issues of the nation.
“I think citizens are not angry enough. We need to be angry enough to take action. If everyone takes action in writing a letter, in coming out to the streets to protest, in calling their representatives to know details of what is due the citizens, those are the kinds of actions needed right now,” Ehi posited.
The PRIMORG’s Town Hall Meeting Against Corruption series is aimed at calling the public and government attention to specific issues of corruption in Nigeria.
The syndicated radio program runs with support from the MacArthur Foundation.
A philanthropist, Joseph Aondoana, has donated a Hilux truck, 5 motorbikes and a police station to Aondoana community in Gwer-West Local Government Area (LGA), of Benue State, as part of efforts to curb insecurity occasioned by herdsmen attacks.
The donation of the items, including bags of Rice, maggi, salt and jars of palm oil to members of the community followed a recent attack on Aondoana by armed herdsmen, wherein 15 persons, including a two-year old child was hacked to death.
Aondoana, also appealed to the political class in the state to stop the bickering that had left them divided, close ranks and works towards bringing an end to the incessant killings in the state.
Therefore, he called on the State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, as well as other politicians to follow his footsteps and donate to communities affected by herdsmen attacks, stressing that with their contributions the fight against insecurity in Benue communities would register major successes.
Addressing the people of the community, Aondoana, stressed that he would do anything possible within the ambit of the law to ensure that their security was guaranteed.
While he pledged that he would assist with certain logistics for the upkeep of the security personnel posted to the area, he promised to fuel and maintain the vehicles and bikes, for effective service delivery.
The philanthropist who charged members of the community to take ownership of the items, informed that even though he had donated the vehicle and bikes, they actually belong to the community.
Furthermore, Aondoana, laid the foundation of a Police post in the area, adding that he would ensure that the structure, with staff quarters were completed and handed over to the police in under three months.
He appealed to members of the community to endeavor to provide the necessary information to security agencies at all times, so as to enable them tackle the insecurity in the area.
Also speaking at the event, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), in charge of Naka, headquarters of Gwer-West LGA, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), Charles Gadzama, identified with the people of the community for the pains they were going through.
The DPO who pledged to put in his best to address the insecurity in the LGA, however solicited the support of the people of the area, noting that he cannot do it alone.
He urged them to be resilient; put their trust in him and he would in turn trust them to provide him with credible intelligence and believed that together they would weather the storm and restore the peace that has eluded them.
Receiving the items, the Ter Nagi, HRH Chief Daniel Abomtse, represented by the Kindred Head, Puuanakaa, Zaki Jen Ukura, thanked Joseph Aondoana, for the step he has taken to ensure that his people were secure.
He further advised them to at all times provided credible intelligence that can be put to use.
In a powerful demonstration of compassion and community service, the IBD Dende Foundation marked this year’s Eid al-Adha celebration with a two-day humanitarian outreach tagged “Ileya of Hope: Eid Beyond Sacrifice” at the Chief’s palace in Durumi, Abuja. Held from June 5th to 6th, 2025, the initiative aimed to share food, health, and love with those in need, in the true spirit of the season.
The event, powered by the IBD Dende Foundation under the leadership of its founder, Alhaji Ibrahim Dende Egungbohun, brought smiles to the faces of the beneficiaries. This year’s program, themed “Eid Beyond Sacrifice”, went beyond the rituals of the Sallah celebration by offering tangible support through a combination of humanitarian relief and free medical services.
Hundreds of beneficiaries were treated to a grand Sallah feast, where items were shared in a festive atmosphere filled with gratitude and joy. In addition to the feast, the foundation distributed special IBD-branded gift packs and food items to families, ensuring that no one was left out of the celebration. The outreach also included a comprehensive range of free medical services such as blood pressure and sugar level checks, minor treatments, first aid, malaria testing, medication, and health education sessions focused on hygiene and wellness.
Volunteers and health professionals from the Support and Help Outpatient Foundation SHOF, worked tirelessly throughout the two days, embodying the foundation’s mission of “Touching Lives, Spreading Hope.” A Representative from the IBD Dende Foundation, Dr. David Owah emphasized that the goal was not just to feed and treat people physically, but to uplift them emotionally and spiritually during a time that should be joyous for all.
“Eid is not just about sacrifice, it is about sharing. Our aim is to bring hope to these communities who have lost so much, and to remind them that they are not forgotten,” David Owah stated.
A beneficiary, expressed deep appreciation for the gesture, visibly moved by the support, said, “This is more than just food and medicine. It shows that someone cares. It gives us hope.”
The presence and leadership of Alhaji Ibrahim Dende Egungbohun continue to inspire similar acts of kindness across Nigeria, as his foundation remains committed to reaching out to the needy, especially during times of national festivity.
The “Ileya of Hope” outreach stands as a shining example of how faith-based philanthropy can play a critical role in fostering inclusion, dignity, and well-being in underserved communities. Meanwhile, as the nation celebrates Eid, the IBD Dende Foundation’s intervention serves as a reminder that true sacrifice lies in giving wholeheartedly to those who can offer nothing in return.
• Two Years of Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda Mark a Turning Point for the Niger Delta
• 5,000 Beneficiaries Empowered as Stakeholder Confidence Returns under Otuaro’s Leadership
As Nigeria celebrates the second anniversary of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) stands out as a flagship success, reinvigorated under the purposeful leadership of Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro.
Appointed as Administrator in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, Dr. Otuaro has brought focus, vision, and integrity to a programme once plagued by uncertainty.
Previously seen as directionless and losing stakeholder trust, the Amnesty Programme has now returned to its core mandate of Disarmament, Demobilization, and Reintegration (DDR). Since taking office, Dr. Otuaro has led a transformation marked by transparency, youth empowerment, and inclusive engagement with ex-agitators and local communities.
Among his key achievements is the sponsorship of over 5,000 students across universities and skills acquisition centres. Hundreds more are undergoing specialized training in the blue economy, including marine logistics, aquaculture, and coastal enterprise, aligning the programme with global economic trends and regional potential.
In addition to educational and vocational empowerment, Dr. Otuaro has championed peacebuilding and reconciliation, reaching out to traditional rulers, community leaders, and civil society actors to rebuild trust and dialogue in volatile areas of the Niger Delta.
One of the most praised reforms has been the reintroduction of strict transparency and accountability frameworks, ensuring that funds are appropriately audited and disbursed to genuine beneficiaries. This renewed credibility has repositioned the Amnesty Programme as a model of public sector performance under the Tinubu administration.
Stakeholders across the Niger Delta say the changes reflect the spirit of the Renewed Hope Agenda. “Dr. Otuaro is restoring not just the programme, but our hope in government,” said a community elder in Delta State. “For the first time in a long while, we are witnessing real results.”
The transformation of the PAP is now widely recognized as one of the clearest indicators of President Tinubu’s commitment to inclusive governance, regional equity, and peacebuilding.
Observers believe that with sustained support, the programme could serve as a blueprint for national integration efforts across other restive regions.
In recognition of these achievements, the Niger Delta Transparency Watch Group, which has been monitoring public sector reforms in the region, commended both the Presidency and the Amnesty Office.
“We are proud to celebrate the results of effective leadership. What we see today is a Renewed Hope in action-driven by commitment, community engagement, and accountability,” the group stated.
As Nigeria looks ahead, the success of the Presidential Amnesty Programme under Dr. Otuaro is a powerful reminder that when leadership is anchored in integrity and service, national transformation becomes inevitable.
