GO AND SIN NO MORE: CORRUPT JUDGES ESCAPING FROM JUSTICE IN NIGERIA

doubt, the legitimate expectation of Nigerians in this regard shall be met. In this regard therefore, I am reiterating that the fight against corruption shall be total and will not exclude judicial officers who are found wanting. After all, it is beyond doubt that a corrupt Judge cannot meaningfully contribute to the fight against corruption.

Furthermore, considering the pivotal role that they play in the administration of justice, it is important to ensure that Nigerian Judges, like the proverbial Ceazer’s wife, are beyond reproach or even suspicion. Gone are the days when corrupt Judges escaped from justice in Nigeria! We shall continuously remind our Judges about the judicial Oath to which they subscribed upon their appointment which inter alia read as follows: “…I will discharge my duties, and perform my functions honestly, to the best of my ability and faithfully in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Law; … that I will not allow my personal interest to influence my official conduct or my official decisions; that I will preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. So help me God.’’

Therefore, in line with the cardinal agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, the office of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation shall ensure that every appearance of corruption in the Judiciary is dealt, among other measures, through criminal prosecution and forfeiture to the State of illegally acquired assets. Acts of judicial impunity will also not be condoned, so that our Judges can be judicially accountable at all times in a corruption-free Judiciary which is both independent and impartial. All these, shall be achieved, (together with partners like SERAP), without violating the fundamental human rights of the persons involved, and in line with Rule of Law and international best practices. That would be this administration’s own way of saying: Go and sin no more…!

On this note, I thank you all for your attention.

Being the remarks delivered on behalf of the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Mr. Abubakar Malami SAN at Serap Media Launch on 19 January 2016