High Court Of The Federal Capital Territory Faces Corruption And Resource Mismanagement Crisis

The High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) has found itself embroiled in a crisis characterized by corruption and personnel grievances, with far-reaching implications for the administration of justice in the nation’s capital.

This crisis has been unveiled by five judges who, in a rare move, have shared their accounts of unspeakable humiliation and mismanagement under Chief Justice Husseini Baba-Yusuf.

In interviews conducted over seven weeks, these judges have detailed a series of issues plaguing the court.

They have accused Chief Justice Baba-Yusuf of mishandling the division’s resources, leading to dire conditions for judicial officers. This comes at a time when the nation is grappling with economic challenges following the removal of fuel subsidies by President Bola Tinubu.

The judges have alleged that Chief Justice Baba-Yusuf misappropriated their meager allowances, leaving courtrooms without necessary support personnel or equipment. They claim that he runs the court as his private estate and treats them like “secondary school boys.” These allegations have raised concerns about the judges’ vulnerability to bribery, although they maintain their commitment to justice and integrity.

The judges further revealed that since 2007, when President Umar Yar’Adua increased the salaries of FCT judges, there have been no reviews or approvals, making it increasingly difficult for them to maintain their commitment to justice while struggling to provide for their families.

Despite handling cases involving individuals and companies accused of stealing billions, the judges’ conditions contrast starkly with the better-paid and equipped prosecutors from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

These judges have spoken anonymously to avoid retribution from the National Judicial Council (NJC), which they claim has heard their complaints but failed to take action against Chief Justice Baba-Yusuf’s alleged greed and avarice.

The situation in the FCT High Court reflects similar concerns raised by Supreme Court justices in 2022, who accused the then-Chief Justice Tanko Muhammad of financial irresponsibility and moral decadence. It remains uncertain whether Chief Justice Baba-Yusuf will face a similar fate.

Chief Justice Baba-Yusuf has refrained from commenting on these allegations, initially citing illness as a reason for delay and later ending a call abruptly. The court’s chief registrar also failed to address the crisis.

The judges’ grievances extend to a recent training assignment in Morocco, during which Chief Justice Baba-Yusuf allegedly pocketed substantial portions of their allowances. This training exposed further disparities between their treatment and that of their counterparts from the Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, who received significantly higher allowances.

The judges estimate that Chief Justice Baba-Yusuf stole approximately N495 million ($1.2 million) from the Marrakesh trip alone. This has added to their frustration over the court’s financial mismanagement and lack of support.

In addition to allegations of corruption, Chief Justice Baba-Yusuf has been accused of neglecting the court’s infrastructure and personnel needs, resulting in a backlog of unresolved cases, exceeding 1,000 in the last quarter alone. The judges cite a lack of computers, clerks, and essential resources as contributing to their inability to efficiently administer justice.

Despite federal allocations intended for judiciary procurement, the judges assert that Chief Justice Baba-Yusuf has failed to utilize these funds or recruit necessary personnel. Consequently, they are spending more time handling urgent motions, delaying substantive rulings on accumulating cases.

Efforts to address these concerns have been met with indifference from Chief Justice Baba-Yusuf, who has divided the judges into classes based on travel frequency and allegedly favors a select few with access to his ill-gotten cash.

While the judges have refrained from publicly rebuking Chief Justice Baba-Yusuf, they warn that continued inaction by the NJC could force them to take more drastic measures.

The crisis in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory underscores the need for urgent intervention to ensure the integrity of the judicial system and the fair administration of justice.