Justice Now Purchasable Commodity In Nigeria — Sultan of Sokoto
The Sultan of Sokoto and president of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar 111, says that justice in the country has increasingly become a “purchasable commodity,” where the poor are victims and the rich evade accountability.
The Sultan of Sokoto and president of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar 111, says that justice in the country has increasingly become a “purchasable commodity,” where the poor are victims and the rich evade accountability.
Abubakar spoke as a guest speaker at the Nigeria Bar Association, NBA, Annual General Conference in Enugu on Sunday.
He warned that the integrity of the judicial system has been seriously undermined by corruption and inequality.
This was even as the South African opposition leader Julius Malema, also said on the occasion that "Law and learning are inseparable. At the core of the study of law is the knowledge of value, and justice is one of those core values the law is supposed to achieve."
According to the Sultan, justice is the foundation of stable societies hence, law must always target justice as its ultimate goal.
His words, “Today, justice is increasingly becoming a purchasable commodity, and the poor are becoming victims of this kind of justice, while the rich commit all manner of crime and walk the streets scot-free...
His words, “Today, justice is increasingly becoming a purchasable commodity, and the poor are becoming victims of this kind of justice, while the rich commit all manner of crime and walk the streets scot-free...
“You are resolving to uphold the highest principles of the rule of law to ensure that everyone, including those in power, is subject to and accountable under the law. If we are able to do this, we would have addressed the core of the crisis of governance in this country.
“This conference, I hope, will also give you the time to address issues that are pertinent to the future of our society.
“Three things are particularly important: continuing efforts at law reforms to gradually decolonise our laws and make them closer to our values, culture and history; addressing social justice to tackle glaring inequalities and foster cohesion; and improving access to justice, especially considering the rising cost of litigation and the exclusion of the weak and vulnerable,”
“Three things are particularly important: continuing efforts at law reforms to gradually decolonise our laws and make them closer to our values, culture and history; addressing social justice to tackle glaring inequalities and foster cohesion; and improving access to justice, especially considering the rising cost of litigation and the exclusion of the weak and vulnerable,”
He, however, commended the NBA for choosing the theme “Stand Out and Stand Tall”, noting tthat it aligned with the urgent need for lawyers to deliver on their professional mandate, even as the legal profession must remain committed to upholding the rule of law to ensure fairness, accountability, and equality before the law.
He asked the participants to use the conference to address critical issues shaping Nigeria’s future, lamenting the country's perennial challenge of poor policy implementation despite having “very good policies.”
He asked the participants to use the conference to address critical issues shaping Nigeria’s future, lamenting the country's perennial challenge of poor policy implementation despite having “very good policies.”
Meanwhile, the South African opposition Leader, Julius Malema, has said that, "Law
and learning are inseparable" and "at the core of the study of law is the knowledge of value, and justice is one of those core values the law is supposed to achieve."
and learning are inseparable" and "at the core of the study of law is the knowledge of value, and justice is one of those core values the law is supposed to achieve."
What's Your Reaction?
