Nigeria’s Judicial Arm Of Government Is Corrupt – CJN Tanko

Tanko Muhammed, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, has revealed that Nigeria’s judicial arm of government is corrupt and needs the intervention of the Senate.

When answering questions from Senators during his confirmation as the Chief Justice of Nigeria on Wednesday, he stated that the Judicial arm of government has challenges of corrupt judges.

He stated that corruption hasn’t been conquered in Nigeria because there is no stiff punishment of offenders, he, therefore, called on the Senate to review the nation’s laws.

“I always say that Nigeria judiciary is part and parcel of Nigeria and I am not surprised seeing some judges being corrupt but must be treated same way other corrupt elements are treated.”

While speaking on when he was a magistrate in Bauchi State, he claimed that corruption in the Judiciary began when indigenous judges took over adjudication in courts.

“I was a magistrate in Bauchi then, but by the time I finished law school, went to NYSC and came back and then we had a White man as our boss, there was no corruption. Later, when we had a black man we started having problems.”

Tanko urged the legislators to review Nigeria’s criminal law.

“Left for me, there is a need to look at our criminal laws again with a view to dealing with corruption in the society.”

“Some criminals are couching on loopholes in our laws and I want to urge the legislators to amend laws to sanitize the society.”

“In the 50s and 60s up to 70s, you cannot open your door and sleep with your eyes closed.”

While speaking on the independence of the Judiciary, he stated that some state governors pose a huge threat to the independence of state judiciary.

He further stated that the legislature should work on the challenges being faced by the nation’s judiciary.

“Some governors deny monthly allocation to the judiciary while they take care of their political appointees.

“It is in my view that it’s only the legislature that can put things right in Nigeria.”