A former presidential aide has sent shockwaves through the legal community with a scathing assessment of the Nigerian judiciary, labeling the third arm of government as a “cash and carry” institution.
The aide expressed deep concern over the increasing frequency of conflicting court judgments, particularly in high-stakes political cases involving the PDP and APC leadership crisis.
Speaking ahead of a major judicial probe, the critic argued that the judiciary, which was once the “last hope of the common man,” has now become a playground for the wealthy and powerful.
”We are in a dangerous era where justice is no longer about the law, but about the size of your pocket. The judiciary is now cash and carry; if you have the money, you can buy any verdict you want,” the aide reportedly stated.
This blunt critique coincides with the scheduled appearance of Federal High Court Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho, before the Code of Conduct Bureau on March 16, 2026, to answer for alleged asset declaration violations.
The aide warned that if the National Judicial Council (NJC) fails to perform a “total house cleaning,” the 2027 general elections will be decided in bank vaults rather than at the polling units.
As public trust in the courts continues to plummet, the call for urgent judicial reform has become a national emergency to prevent the total collapse of Nigeria’s democratic structure.