Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Jibrin Okutepa, has sharply criticized the state of law and governance in Nigeria, asserting that the country’s political and legal systems have lost their integrity and respect for the Constitution.
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Okutepa, known for his candid commentary on national issues, argued that there is a widespread disregard for the rule of law among Nigerians, including politicians, lawyers, judges, public servants, and ordinary citizens.
“Truth be told, there is hardly a Nigerian—whether a politician, lawyer, judge, public servant, civil servant, or ordinary citizen—that respects the law and the Nigerian Constitution,” Okutepa stated. He lamented that while some Nigerians may respect the law in theory, it is largely “in breach” in practice, with only a small fraction of individuals adhering to legal principles in the genuine interest of the nation.
Okutepa went further to assert that the moral fabric of Nigerian society is deteriorating, with many accepting that “evil pays” and is even justified if it benefits them. This, he said, has led to widespread violations of the Constitution, particularly in the highest echelons of government, where democratic values are being undermined and celebrated. He pointed out that good people are often overlooked, while those who engage in corrupt practices thrive.
“The moral values of Nigerians seem to be near zero,” Okutepa added, highlighting the lack of accountability within the nation’s institutions. He argued that most public institutions are led by individuals who are more interested in personal gain and rewarding their cronies than serving the public good. In his view, corruption is rampant, and those in power—whether in government or opposition—are equally guilty of self-serving behavior, with the main difference being access to public resources.
The senior lawyer also criticized the country’s judicial system, expressing skepticism over the ability of the courts to provide justice in politically sensitive matters. He claimed that many legal decisions are politically motivated and serve to maintain the status quo, further perpetuating lawlessness. According to Okutepa, the judiciary no longer serves as an effective check on governmental power, and the idea of justice is often distorted by partisan interests.
“The worst thing is that those who have the duties to decide rightly have in most cases chosen to decide wrongly for reasons not far from the self-serving partisan interests of their paid masters,” Okutepa lamented.
In his view, Nigeria’s legal and governance systems are fundamentally flawed, with institutions compromised to the point that efforts to change the system would likely be sabotaged. Okutepa argued that the failure of the legal profession to enforce ethical boundaries has contributed to the erosion of Nigeria’s stability and democratic growth.
He concluded by stressing the need for a restoration of sanity in Nigeria, calling on the legal profession to uphold the standards codified in its code of conduct. Without such reforms, Okutepa fears that Nigeria will remain trapped in a cycle of corruption and lawlessness, with little hope for genuine progress or justice.
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