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| Barr. Desmond Orisewezie |
During an interview on the 9 O'Clock Network News yesterday, legal practitioner Barr. Desmond Orisewezie joined TV News Central to share his views on the state of Nigeria’s judicial system. The session, which also featured reactions to the Sultan of Sokoto’s charge to the judiciary, focused on corruption, inequality, and the need for urgent reforms.
When asked what practical steps lawyers could take to address corruption and inequality in the judiciary, as highlighted by the Sultan, Barrister Orisewezie stressed that lawyers must begin by acknowledging systemic inadequacies rather than ignoring them. He noted that one of the profession’s primary duties is to interrogate and report these failings. According to him, restoring public confidence is critical, as justice can only be seen to be done if the judiciary is perceived as independent. “Without public trust, even a correct judgment risks being dismissed as biased,” he remarked.
On the Sultan’s concern about the inability of the legal system to hold the rich and powerful accountable, Orisewezie pointed to the structural flaws in Nigeria’s appointment processes. He argued that as long as political actors retain the power to appoint heads of anti-graft agencies, such institutions risk becoming tools of favouritism rather than justice. He maintained that reforms must ensure merit-based appointments, and that the judiciary must not only be independent in principle but also in practice.
Speaking on access to justice for the poor and vulnerable, Orisewezie underscored the need for stronger investment in legal aid services. He referenced the United Kingdom’s model, where state-backed legal aid ensures vulnerable citizens can enforce their rights. He further called for regular prison and correctional centre reviews to identify and release individuals unlawfully or unduly detained.
On the impact of the forthcoming Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Annual General Conference (AGC), Orisewezie described it as an opportunity for lawyers to recommit themselves to justice. He noted that the AGC provides a platform to identify and champion reforms that would strengthen judicial independence and ensure fairer administration of justice.
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