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Judges led bribe takers in Nigeria in 2023 – NBS Report
A recent report published on the National Bureau of Statistics website indicates that a staggering sum of N721 billion ($1.26 billion) was disbursed as cash bribes to public officials in 2023.
The report, derived from a survey jointly conducted by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crimes (UNODC) and the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) under the title “Corruption in Nigeria: Patterns and Trends”, highlights the pervasive issue of corruption within the country.
The average cash bribe documented in this report stood at N8,284, a notable increase from the previous nominal amount recorded in 2019 at N5,754.
The comprehensive survey estimated a total of $1.26 billion exchanged hands as bribes to public officials in the same year.
Breaking down the data by recipient, judges emerged as the recipients of the highest average bribe amount, receiving N31,000 per bribe.
Following closely were the Nigeria Customs and Immigration Service officials at N17,800, members of the armed forces at N16,600, land registry officials at N11,700, and police officials at N10,400.
These figures underscore the deep-rooted nature of corruption across various sectors and the pressing need for stringent anti-corruption measures to curb this pervasive phenomenon.
Additionally, the report noted that 46 percent of public officials employed by the government resorted to offering bribes for employment opportunities or to expedite their recruitment processes.
This figure represents a considerable increase—1.5 times higher than that revealed in a previous survey conducted in 2019.
Moreover, the report revealed that six out of every ten individuals who secured positions in the public sector confessed to leveraging nepotism, bribery, or a combination of both to enhance their prospects of being recruited.
This data underscores the prevalence of corrupt practices in the public sector recruitment process and highlights the imperative for systemic reforms to promote transparency and meritocracy in hiring practices.
The prevalence of bribe-taking is disturbing in itself, but the disheartening reality of judges ranking at the forefront of bribe recipients is profoundly distressing.
The revelation that Nigerian judges stand as the primary recipients of bribes raises fundamental doubts about the integrity and efficacy of the Nigerian judiciary.
Judges, as the custodians of justice, are expected to embody impartiality and maintain a demeanour of dignified neutrality to adjudicate matters fairly.
However, when judges are not just linked to bribery and corruption but are identified as the foremost recipients of bribes, the foundational values of the judiciary are compromised.
This unsettling trend should be a cause for alarm for every Nigerian citizen. The judiciary ought not to be implicated in such misconduct.
The fact that the judiciary now leads the tally reflects a systemic breakdown in the administration of justice. How can the courts serve as the ultimate refuge for the ordinary citizen when judges are renowned for their involvement in bribery?
The revelation that judges rank highest among bribe recipients in Nigeria raises profound concerns about the integrity of the judiciary, the rule of law, and the overall quality of governance.
This unsettling revelation has far-reaching implications for the judicial system, public trust, and the sanctity of legal processes in the country.
Judges as leading recipients of bribes undermines the credibility and impartiality of the judicial system. When those entrusted with upholding justice and interpreting the law are embroiled in corrupt practices, the integrity of court decisions and the fairness of legal proceedings are eroded.
The perception of judicial corruption tarnishes the legitimacy of judgments, weakens the rule of law, and perpetuates a culture of impunity.
Judges engaging in corrupt acts not only compromise their judicial independence but also subvert the principles of justice and equality before the law.
Bribery distorts the legal process, skews outcomes in favour of the highest bidder, and perpetuates a system where the wealthy and influential can manipulate justice.
This erosion of judicial integrity perpetuates inequality, undermines the social contract, and fosters a climate of lawlessness and injustice.
Few would have faith in the adjudication process when judges are perceived to be deep into corruption and bribery.
Thus, judges being implicated in bribery and corruption extends beyond individual cases to the broader effectiveness of the rule of law in Nigeria.
When judges are susceptible to bribes, it compromises the judiciary’s ability to serve as a check on executive power, uphold constitutional rights, and dispense impartial justice.
The erosion of judicial integrity weakens the rule of law, diminishes respect for legal institutions, and undermines efforts to combat corruption and promote accountability.
Corruption in the judiciary erodes the foundation of a fair and impartial legal system, jeopardizing the enforcement of contracts, protection of property rights, and resolution of commercial disputes.
Businesses rely on a robust and impartial legal system to safeguard their interests, ensure contractual compliance, and uphold commercial norms.
However, when judicial corruption distorts legal outcomes, businesses face heightened risks, financial losses, and reputational damage, impacting their competitiveness and sustainability.
When businesses encounter corrupt practices within the judiciary, their trust in the legal framework diminishes, leading to uncertainty, legal risks, and a lack of confidence in the resolution of disputes.
This hampers business dealings, deters investment, and stifles economic development.
We expect judges to be alarmed and disgusted by this report which portrays them as very undeserving of the position and status they currently hold and occupy.
The judiciary must clean house. The National Judicial Council should be sufficiently worried to catalyse reform of the judiciary. Corruption in the judiciary must be addressed to restore public trust, uphold the principles of justice and strengthen the rule of law.Combating bribery and corruption within the judiciary is essential to safeguarding the integrity of the legal system and upholding the foundational values of a just and democratic society.
Source: Nigerian Tribune Editorial
A middle-aged man has been arrested over alleged involvement in gruesome murder of his employer, a Pentecostal Bishop of End-reconciliation Ministry Asaba, Delta State.
The suspect was said to have also attempted to dispose of the deceased Toyota Prado Jeep in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State before his arrest.
Confirming the incident on Wednesday while briefing newsmen, Commissioner of Police, State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu said the suspect was arrested together with his accomplice alleged to be the buyer of the stolen vehicle.
The vehicle of the murdered Bishop
He said the stolen vehicle was also recovered from the suspects during the operation.
According to Orutugu, “The breakthrough followed a swift intelligence-led operation by Operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu, which led to the arrest of the suspect and another individual alleged to be the buyer of the stolen vehicle.
“Preliminary investigation reveals that the suspect, who served as the Bishop’s driver and domestic staff, allegedly conspired with yet-to-be-identified criminal elements to murder the cleric before fleeing with the victim’s Prado Jeep to Anambra State for sale.
“Police Operatives, acting on credible information, tracked and intercepted the suspects in Nkpor, successfully recovered the stolen vehicle, and took them into custody for further interrogation.”
According to CP, investigations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the criminal gang involved in the incident and fully unravel the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate murder.
He advised residents to exercise due diligence in the recruitment and management of domestic staff, drivers, and other household employees.
Orutugu also urged members of the public to properly profile and verify the identities of persons employed in their homes and establishments, while also remaining vigilant to suspicious behaviours and activities.
“We assure the public that the Command remains committed to proactive policing, intelligence-driven operations, and collaboration with sister security agencies to ensure the safety of lives and property across the State.
While speaking to newsmen, the bishop’s driver said, “immediately we arrived home and my boss asked me to open the gate, I didn’t know that some people were trailing behind us.
“One of them rushed me, ordered me to lie down and marched my head and hit it with the gun. They went inside and met my master.
“They threatened to kill me if I raise alarm or call the police. They asked me to contact someone from Onitsha who will buy the vehicle. The buyers came this morning and took the vehicle.”
A personal driver of a Pentecostal bishop of End-Reconciliation Ministry in Asaba, Delta State, has been arrested for allegedly killing his employer and fleeing with his vehicle, a Toyota Prado Jeep.
The driver, whose identity has yet to be disclosed due to ongoing investigations, was arrested alongside another suspect in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, while attempting to sell the vehicle.
The Commissioner of Police in Anambra, CP Ikioye Orutugu, disclosed this during a press briefing at the Command’s headquarters in Awka, on Wednesday, adding that the suspect murdered the cleric before fleeing with his vehicle to Anambra to sell.
Orutugu said the arrest followed a swift intelligence-led operation by operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, which led to the arrest of the suspect and another individual alleged to be the buyer of the stolen vehicle.
He said the driver conspired with some criminal elements still at large, to kill his employer, adding that investigations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the criminal gang involved in the incident and fully unravel the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate murder.
He said, “The operatives of the Anambra State Police Command arrested a domestic staff member allegedly involved in the gruesome murder of his employer, a Pentecostal Bishop of End-Reconciliation Ministry in Asaba, Delta State, and the subsequent attempt to dispose of the victim’s Toyota Prado Jeep in Nkpor, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.
“The breakthrough followed a swift intelligence-led operation by Operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, which led to the arrest of the suspect and another individual alleged to be the buyer of the stolen vehicle.
“Preliminary investigation reveals that the suspect, who served as the Bishop’s driver and domestic staff, allegedly conspired with yet-to-be-identified criminal elements to murder the cleric before fleeing with the victim’s Prado Jeep to Anambra State for sale.
“Police operatives, acting on credible information, tracked and intercepted the suspects in Nkpor, successfully recovered the stolen vehicle, and took them into custody for further interrogation.”
The CP stated that investigations are ongoing to apprehend other members of the criminal gang involved in the incident and fully unravel the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate murder.
Orutugu advised the public to exercise due diligence in the recruitment and management of domestic staff, drivers, and other household employees.
He urged members of the public to properly profile and verify the identities of persons employed in their homes and establishments, while also remaining vigilant to suspicious behaviours and activities.
“We assured the public that the Command remains committed to proactive policing, intelligence-driven operations and collaboration with sister security agencies to ensure the safety of lives and property across the State,” the CP added. (The PUNCH)
Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission have arrested the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Mustapha Abdullahi, over alleged money laundering offences.
A source within the anti-graft agency, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, disclosed on Wednesday that Abdullahi was arrested in Abuja and is currently in the custody of the commission.
According to the source, the alleged fraud involves funds estimated at N500bn.
“We have arrested the Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria, Dr Mustapha Abdullahi, for money laundering offences. He was arrested and is currently in our custody. The money Is to the tune of N500bn,” the official said.
Efforts to get confirmation from the EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, were unsuccessful as he could not be reached as of the time of filing this report.
President Bola Tinubu had on October 24, 2023 appointed Abdullahi as Director-General of the Energy Commission of Nigeria.
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