The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar III, has expressed concern over the state of Nigeria’s justice system, warning that it is increasingly skewed in favour of the wealthy while the poor are left to suffer.
Speaking on Sunday at the Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Enugu, the monarch said corruption and inequality were eroding public confidence in the judiciary.
“Justice is increasingly becoming a purchasable commodity, and the poor are becoming victims of this kind of justice, while the rich commit all manner of crime and walk the streets scot-free,” Abubakar said.
He urged legal professionals to uphold the principles of fairness and integrity, stressing that the credibility of the justice system depends on the conduct of those who serve it.
“It is only when the legal profession leads by example that the public can trust the system again,” he said.
The Sultan commended the NBA for choosing the conference theme, “Stand Out and Stand Tall,” describing it as a timely call for lawyers to recommit to their role as defenders of justice and protectors of the vulnerable.
He also called for reforms to make justice more accessible, warning that exclusion and inequality in the legal system could fuel resentment and social unrest.
