September 29, (THEWILL) – Nigeria’s criminal justice system is in crisis. Corruption has infiltrated every level, from law enforcement to the courts and correctional facilities. High-profile cases repeatedly demonstrate how easily justice can be manipulated by those with money and influence, while ordinary citizens languish in overcrowded prisons.
The recent scandal involving the notorious crossdresser, Idris Okuneye, known as Bobrisky, illustrates the extent of this corruption. Convicted and sentenced to six months in prison for defacing the naira in April 2024, Bobrisky allegedly served only three weeks at the prison in Kirikiri in Lagos, before he was secretly taken to a private residence to complete his sentence in comfort after allegedly bribing senior officers at the facility.
According to an audio recording of a conversation between Bobrisky and someone which was made public by activist, critic and media influencer, Martins Vincent Otse, aka VeryDarkMan, officers of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that prosecuted the naira abuse matter allegedly solicited and received N15m bribe to drop the money laundering charge included in the indictment.
I am indeed neither surprised nor shocked at these revelations as they are symptomatic of deep-rooted issues within Nigeria’s justice system. Wealthy or well-connected individuals routinely avoid proper punishment by bribing officials or securing special treatment, undermining the principle of equal justice under law.
The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has come under intense scrutiny for its role in the Bobrisky affair. Reports indicate he was treated like a VIP during his brief stay in Kirikiri. At least two senior correctional service personnel have since been suspended, pending investigation, but public trust has already been severely damaged.
This incident, if true, also highlights the failings of the EFCC, Nigeria’s top anti-corruption body. Such actions directly contradict the EFCC’s mandate and reinforce perceptions that the agency is not immune to the very corruption it claims to fight. The agency has also ordered its own investigation into the scandal.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has voiced serious concerns about how this scandal impacts the credibility of the entire criminal justice system. The association has called for an independent investigation, emphasising that the case exposes fundamental flaws in the administration of justice. The NBA insists that anyone found complicit should face prosecution and dismissal from service.
Unfortunately, the Bobrisky case is merely one example among many. In recent years, numerous instances involving politicians, business owners and celebrities have demonstrated how money and influence can distort the rules of justice. The impunity with which these individuals operate deepens public cynicism and erodes trust in law enforcement and the judiciary.
Bribery and corruption are so entrenched that they affect even the most basic investigative and prosecutorial processes. Some officials readily accept payments to drop charges or alter imprisonment conditions or even avoid conviction entirely by bribing judicial officers, creating a two-tier system of justice. Ordinary citizens, lacking the financial means to secure such favours, face the full weight of the law, while the wealthy escape punishment or serve sentences in relative comfort.
The Nigerian police force, meant to be the first line of defence against crime, is notorious for extortion and brutality. The #EndSARS movement in 2020 was a direct response to widespread anger over police abuses, including extrajudicial killings, illegal detention and bribery. It is common for officers to demand money before investigating cases or to accept payments to drop charges, further eroding public confidence in the system.
Nigeria’s prisons are overcrowded and poorly managed, with a significant portion of inmates awaiting trial. The Nigerian Correctional Service estimates that a sizable percentage of prisoners are pre-trial detainees, many of whom have spent years behind bars without being convicted of any crime. This situation disproportionately affects the poor, who cannot afford bail or the bribes necessary to expedite their cases.
The judiciary itself is not free from corruption. Judges and court officials are frequently accused of accepting bribes to influence case outcomes. In 2016, several judges were arrested on corruption charges after large sums of money were discovered in their homes. Despite the outcry, little has changed in terms of concrete reforms. Cases continue to be delayed and judgments are influenced by backdoor dealings that favour those who can pay.
High-profile cases often receive preferential treatment, further illustrating the selective application of justice. Most cases involving powerful politicians are particularly telling. They are held up in the court system by the defendants often working closely with the prosecution without any meaningful resolution.
The pardon process has also come under scrutiny. Allegations that influential figures can secure pardons for convicts through their political or social connections further undermine faith in the system. While such claims are often denied, their mere existence speaks to the widespread perception of corruption at every level.
To address these systemic issues in my view, comprehensive reforms are necessary across all aspects of the criminal justice system. Independent oversight bodies with the power to investigate corruption within the judiciary and law enforcement must be established. These bodies need autonomy and resources to perform their duties without interference from political or financial interests.
We must strengthen our institutions to enable them to function properly so that they cannot be hijacked or influenced easily by anyone or group.
Law enforcement officials, judges and prosecutors must be held accountable for their actions, with strict penalties for those caught accepting bribes or manipulating cases. The legal process needs greater transparency, particularly in high-profile cases, to restore public trust and ensure justice is served fairly.
Judicial independence is paramount. Judges should be free from political interference, basing their decisions solely on facts and law. The rehabilitation of correctional facilities is also critical. Beyond addressing corruption, prisons need significant investment to reduce overcrowding and improve conditions, with a focus on rehabilitation rather than punishment.
The criminal justice system in Nigeria reflects broader societal issues of corruption and inequality. Cases like Bobrisky’s and allegations of systemic bribery and favouritism, reveal the extent to which the system has been compromised. However, reform is possible if the people, government and legal community take meaningful action.
I am extremely disappointed at the lows we have reached in this country in almost every aspect. The rot is indeed deep, but I pray we quickly and genuinely reverse these bad trends if we are to save this country.
