The Impact of Corruption on the Administration of Justice in Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined the impact of corruption on the administration of justice within the Nigerian Judicial system and the extent to which it has affected the entire judicial process. In so doing, the researcher formulated two hypotheses to guide the study, to wit: there is no relationship between corruption and high crime rate within the Nigerian judicial system; and, judges are less likely to be corrupt when posted within their locality. The Survey Research Design was adopted by the researcher and a structured questionnaire was used to obtain information from 80 respondents consisting of lawyers from both the Bar and Bench, as well as Registrars, and other administrative staff of the Judiciary. This was in addition to direct interviews in the course of which the researcher sought to determine the types, causes, and effects of corruption within the Nigerianjudicial system. The data collected were analyzed using Chi-square statistical technique. Results of the analysis revealed that: corruption gives rise to high crime rate; and that Judges are more likely to be corrupt when posted within their locality. It was recommended that: Judges should not only be properly screened to ensure that only people of proven integrity are appointed as judicial officers, but that security agencies should equally monitor them closely and routinely; judicial officers should abstain from membership of political parties to avoid influence from the political class; the National Judicial Council (NJC) should be firm in their duty of disciplining erring judicial officers to ensure dignity and integrity of these officers; all judicial officers should be adequately remunerated to reduce the excessive craving and likelihood of corruption; the practice of the Executive arm of government approving the appointment of Judges should be abolished to reduce the perceived influence of the Governors and President on the judiciary; and finally, judges should as a matter of practice be posted outside their states of origin to reduce excessive influence and pressures from family and friends.