Imo chief judge: Nigerians losing confidence in judiciary

Theresa Chikeka, the chief judge of Imo, says citizens are losing confidence in the nation’s judiciary.

Speaking during the second law week of the Mbano-Etiti branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) held on Friday, the judge said the public perception of the judiciary is depreciating.

The chief judge was represented at the event by L. C. Azuama.

“I feel concerned about the downward swing of our judicial system, especially as it has to do with the perception of the populace,” she said.

“The judiciary, being the last hope of the common man, ought to maintain such confidence reposed in it by the populace as indeed its mouthpiece.

“In the eyes of the public, the judiciary may have failed, but the question is if we are ready to rediscover and redeem its image by assuring all Nigerians that all hope is not lost.”

Chikeka said despite the challenges facing the judiciary, the institution is filled with brilliant professionals who could make a permanent difference.

Earlier this month, Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP) in the 2023 elections, said the judiciary is the biggest threat to the nation’s democracy.

The former Anambra governor added that justice in Nigeria “goes to the highest bidder” and has become “commodified”.