The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has decried the rising commercialization of justice in Nigeria, warning that the judiciary risks losing public trust if urgent reforms are not undertaken.
Speaking on Sunday at the ongoing Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) 2025 Annual Conference in Enugu, the Sultan lamented that justice is gradually becoming a commodity only the rich can afford.
“Today in Nigeria, justice is increasingly becoming a purchasable commodity. The poor are becoming victims of miscarriage of justice, while the rich commit crimes and walk the streets scot-free,” he said.
The monarch urged legal practitioners to stand firm in defense of the rule of law, stressing that no society can thrive where justice is skewed in favor of the powerful and wealthy.
He commended the NBA for adopting the theme of fairness and equality before the law at this year’s gathering, describing it as a bold step towards confronting one of the greatest challenges undermining governance in Nigeria.
According to him, ensuring that “no one operates above the law” would go a long way in restoring public confidence in the justice system and addressing the root of the country’s governance crisis.
The NBA Conference, which has drawn legal minds, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the country, continues in Enugu with discussions centered on deepening the rule of law and strengthening democratic institutions.
