Former Supreme Court Justice Amina Augie, CON, shares her experiences battling entrenched interests and systemic corruption within the Nigerian judiciary, calling for urgent reforms.
In an illuminating recount of her experiences within the Nigerian judiciary, former Supreme Court Justice Amina Augie, CON, detailed the challenges she faced while striving to uphold integrity and accountability. Justice Augie shared how, during her tenure, she encountered entrenched interests and systemic inefficiencies that hindered justice delivery.
Justice Augie’s journey in the judiciary took her through various divisions, where she quickly earned a reputation for strict adherence to the rule of law. She noted that this reputation often preceded her, ensuring that staff and colleagues behaved appropriately. However, her move to Lagos presented a new set of challenges. She described receiving a message shortly after her arrival, warning her not to interfere with the established order—a clear threat against her attempts to reform the system.
Upon investigation, Justice Amina Augie discovered that several registry staff had held their positions for decades, some for as long as 36 years. These staff members wielded significant power, often obstructing justice by manipulating case files. She highlighted the pervasive issue of corruption among non-judicial staff, who could delay or lose case files, thus obstructing the legal process.
Faced with this entrenched corruption, Justice Augie took decisive action. She compiled a detailed report, noting that many staff members had been in their positions for an excessively long time without accountability. This report led to the reassignment of 16 staff members to different locations across Nigeria, breaking the stranglehold they had on the Lagos registry.
Justice Augie emphasized the need for comprehensive judicial reforms, including the establishment of specialized judicial training institutions to ensure that only qualified and passionate individuals serve as judges. She also lamented the influence of political and personal connections in the appointment of judges, which she said compromises the quality of justice in Nigeria.
In conclusion, Justice Amina Augie called for a paradigm shift in the judiciary, urging for reforms that would address the systemic issues and restore public confidence in the justice system. Her candid revelations underscore the complexities and challenges of maintaining integrity in a system riddled with corruption and inefficiency. WATCH VIDEO ATTACHED BELOW:
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