Corruption - HEDA Resource Centre

Nigeria’s Judiciary Faces Credibility Crisis: HEDA’s Latest LAR Report Calls for Urgent Reform

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has issued a sobering assessment of Nigeria’s judicial system in its fifth Leadership Approval Rating (LAR) report, “Voice for Justice: A civic Lens on Nigeria’s Judicial System – Documenting Public Experience Opinions, and Reform Demands. The recently and widely-reported launch in Lagos, the report paints a stark portrait of public disillusionment with judiciary and demands urgent, far-reaching reforms. Based on a nationwide survey of 1,357 Nigerians across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, the findings reveal widespread perception of corruption, inaccessibility, and political interference within the judiciary. HEDA’s Executive Secretary, Sulaimon Arigbabu, described the report as “a mirror held up to power,” reflecting the lived experience of citizens rather than abstract statistics. The key findings of the report include: Only 12% of the respondents rated the judiciary as highly accessible while 36.5% described accessibility as low. Half of those surveyed had never interacted with the courts, and when interaction occurred, they were mostly administrative such as obtaining affidavits or settling land disputes, rather than seeking substantive justice. Nearly half (49%) submitted to paying or “sorting” court officials, and 65.4% believed judicial corruption is high or extremely high. Beyond corruption and inefficiency, the judiciary was also seen as complicit in broader rights violations: 60% of respondents accused it of enabling police abuses and imposing excessive bail conditions. To address these challenges, the report calls for a comprehensive reform agenda including full judicial autonomy and restructuring of the NJC, improved pay, welfare, and security for judges, stronger anti-corruption enforcement, greater transparency, such as livestreamed court proceedings and the use of body-worn cameras, among others. Arigbabu stressed that the recommendations are not optional, but necessary steps to restore public trust and uphold democracy. He emphasized that many reforms require not new policies, but better applications of existing rules, such as reducing unnecessary adjournments and ensuring timely reviews of remand orders. Speaking at the launch, HEDA’s Senior Program Consultant, Sina Odugbemi urged civic actors, media, and citizens to intensify efforts in exposing corruption and advocating for change. “Corruption is everywhere, and we must expose it. We need journalism that digs deeper and citizens who demand accountability.” he said. HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, echoed these sentiments, affirming HEDA’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s institutions. “This report is a call to action. Public instituitons must be answerable to the people they serv. Together, we can rise to the challenge and transform the judiciary for the better.” As Nigeria’s judiciary stands at a crossroads, the message from citizens is clear: reforms are urgently needed and the time to act is now.

June 10, 2025June 10, 2025 By Nurudeen Salako

HEDA News

HEDA 38th ACSR: Stakeholders Urge President Tinubu to Intensify Anti-Corruption Efforts

Stakeholders in Nigeria’s fight against corruption convened at the 38th Anti-Corruption Situation Room (ACSR), organized by the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre). They called on President Bola Tinubu to adopt a holistic approach to combat corruption, addressing all sectors and managing public expectations. They also urged the implementation of the National Anti-Corruption Strategy 2022-2026 as a working document. The event, themed “Ethics, Integrity, Corruption Risk Assessments, and Anti-Corruption at National and Sub-National Levels in Nigeria: Sustaining the Fight Against Corruption,” aimed to engage stakeholders in responding to the country’s recent corruption perception rating, addressing pervasive issues of corruption and impunity, and fostering a culture of ethical respect, integrity, and accountability at all levels of governance. Participants emphasized that deterrence remains the best strategy in the fight against corruption. They called for sustained punishment for corrupt individuals and improvements in the quality of investigations and law enforcement. Despite the challenges, participants expressed hope and agreed to intensify efforts to eradicate corruption for Nigeria’s prosperity, social, economic, and political renaissance. Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, decried the state of corruption in Nigeria, describing it as a major obstacle to the country’s development. He urged Nigerians to support law enforcement agencies in holding corrupt persons accountable. He said, “The fight against corruption is for everyone. When you see people being investigated and we have shown you the evidence, don’t join them to carry placards and abuse EFCC, ICPC, and because you are contributing to the problems. All of us must fight this corruption together” Speaking as the keynote speaker on the theme, “Fostering Integrity and Accountability to Reclaim Our Future: Strategies for Combating Corruption and Impunity Across Board in Nigeria,” Prof. Shehu Abdullah identified strong political will and an effective legislative framework as key strategies to combat corruption and impunity in Nigeria. He also urged state actors to prioritize accountability, stating, “Earning the trust and confidence of the citizens through accountability is critical in combating corruption. Involving the people and ensuring the accessibility of civil society are essential.” Prof. Abdullah emphasized the importance of public officials declaring their assets and ensuring such declarations are verified. He called for the strengthening of regimes to prevent corruption and bring corrupt actors to justice. “Despite the importance of prevention, deterrence remains the best option,” he concluded. Human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) challenged anti-corruption agencies to go beyond prosecuting financial crimes in the courts and actively engage citizens in the fight against corruption. He stressed the importance of framing corruption in ways that resonate with ordinary Nigerians, particularly at the grassroots level. Chairman of HEDA Resource Centre, Olanrewaju Suraju, highlighted the need for political will to enforce and implement anti-corruption laws effectively. He emphasized the critical role of civil society, the media, and the public in promoting transparency and pushing for accountability, especially in an environment where politicians might lack the will to pursue anti-corruption agendas. “The only problem we consistently contend with is the commitment and the will to implement the laws. If we can implement 50 percent of the laws in Nigeria, we will be far better than where we are.” He added. The conference included three key sessions: Leveraging Media, Technology, and Civil Society Partnerships to Combat Impunity and Promote Corruption Prevention; promoting Judicial Independence, Rule of Law, and Ethical Leadership for Integrity in Public and Private Sectors; and Enhancing Integrity and Accountability in the Public Sector to Strengthen Anti-Corruption Agencies and Combat Grand Corruption for Sustainable Governance. Participants concluded the conference with a renewed sense of hope and commitment to intensifying efforts to combat corruption, ensuring Nigeria’s leadership in the regional and international arena.

March 14, 2025 By Nurudeen Salako

Anti-corruption

N480 Million Bribery Allegation: HEDA Calls on EFCC, ICPC to Probe Nigerian Lawmakers Targeting University Vice-Chancellors

The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) strongly condemns another revelation of an alleged bribery scheme orchestrated by some lawmakers in the National Assembly, as reported by Premium Times. According to the investigative report, members of the Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFund, alongside their counterparts in the House Committee on University Education, have allegedly demanded a staggering N480 million in bribes from vice-chancellors of federal universities to approve their 2025 budget allocations. In a statement signed by HEDA’s Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, the civil society group finds these allegations deeply disturbing, as they not only violate ethical and legal standards but also further entrench corruption in Nigeria’s education sector, which is already plagued by chronic underfunding and administrative challenges. According to Suraju, “It is unacceptable that university administrators, who are entrusted with managing the country’s citadels of learning, are being subjected to intimidation and coercion by lawmakers who should be championing transparency and accountability.” “We call on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to immediately commence a thorough investigation into this matter. The lawmakers allegedly involved must be identified, investigated, and, if found guilty, prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Corruption, particularly in the education sector, undermines national development, weakens institutions, and erodes public trust in governance.” Furthermore, HEDA urges President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the National Assembly to take decisive action in addressing this scandal. The National Assembly must not become a breeding ground for corruption; rather, it should uphold the principles of integrity and good governance. He added, “If these allegations, which is becoming a recurring decimal after similar allegations of extortion were leveled against the legislators are confirmed, disciplinary measures must be taken against those responsible to serve as a deterrent to others who may seek to exploit their positions for personal gain.” HEDA remains committed to advocating for transparency, good governance, and accountability in Nigeria. “We call on all stakeholders, including civil society organizations, the media, the general public, and particularly managements of the higher institutions to resist and expose corruption wherever it is found. Our education sector deserves better, and those entrusted with making policies should be held accountable for their actions.”

February 3, 2025 By Nurudeen Salako