Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A former Nigerian senator and public affairs commentator, Sola Akinyede, has issued a stark warning about the deteriorating state of the nation's judiciary, declaring that only about 10 to 15 per cent of judicial officers remain untainted by corruption. Akinyede made the damning assessment on Monday, July 20, 2026, during an appearance on Arise Television's Prime Time programme, where he lamented what he described as a deepening rot in the judicial system that has reached an unprecedented level.
The former lawmaker, who served as a member of the Senate Constitutional Review Committee, traced the trajectory of judicial decay over the past two decades. According to him, between 2005 and 2010, approximately 10 per cent of the judiciary could be described as compromised. However, the situation has now reversed dramatically. "In fact, some people will say it's the reverse now. Maybe 10% or 15% are clean. Nobody ever imagined the kind of rot that we have today," Akinyede said.
Akinyede, who represented Ekiti South in the Senate from 2007 to 2011, called for fundamental structural reforms, insisting that meaningful changes would require amendments to the Nigerian Constitution. He recounted that he had proposed constitutional amendments in 2010 specifically to reform the composition of the National Judicial Council, arguing that the current structure, which allows the Chief Justice of Nigeria to appoint 19 out of 23 NJC members, concentrates too much power in a single office. "When I read the constitution, I said, how can you have the Chief Justice of Nigeria appointing 19 members of the NJC out of 23?" he queried.
The former senator expressed alarm over practices that were unheard of three decades ago, including judges lobbying to have their children appointed as judges. "Things that were unheard of about 30 years ago, you see them now," he said. "When I made those amendments, people did not take me seriously. But even I myself, I never imagined that the kind of thing that is happening today will ever happen."
Akinyede's remarks come amid growing public concern over the integrity of Nigeria's judicial system, which has faced persistent criticism over allegations of corruption, bias, and procedural delays. His claim that only a small fraction of the judiciary remains untainted is one of the most sweeping indictments of the nation's judicial officers in recent years. The former senator did not provide specific evidence to support his assertion, but his extensive experience in legal and legislative affairs lends weight to his assessment.
The National Judicial Council, which is responsible for the discipline and oversight of judicial officers, has not yet responded to Akinyede's allegations. However, the former senator's call for constitutional reform has reignited debate over the structure and accountability of the judiciary, with many legal practitioners and civil society groups echoing his concerns about the concentration of power in the NJC and the need for greater transparency in judicial appointments.
As Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections, the integrity of the judiciary remains a critical issue, with many stakeholders warning that public confidence in the courts must be restored to ensure the credibility of the electoral process. Akinyede's stark assessment serves as a sobering reminder of the challenges facing one of the pillars of Nigeria's democracy, and his call for fundamental reform is likely to resonate with those who have long called for a more accountable and transparent judicial system.
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