The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has highlighted bribery, nepotism and bias as key factors eroding the fairness and credibility of Nigeria?s justice system.

He stressed that when judges accept bribes, make decisions based on personal interests, or yield to political or social pressures, it severely undermines the rule of law.

Fagbemi made these remarks at The Gavel International Annual Lecture 2024, themed ?The Judiciary as the Last Hope of the Common Man: Media and Legal Perspectives,? held in Lagos over the weekend.

The AGF, who was represented by Prof. Olukayode Olatoke, emphasized that although the judiciary is meant to be an impartial body, it is not immune to corruption.

These corrupt practices, he said, damage public trust in the system.

Anything that erodes public confidence in the judiciary, he said, harms the judicial process.

The event?s chairman, Prince Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, called on Nigerian lawyers and the judiciary to take a leading role in the country?s transformation, urging them to uphold the rule of law with boldness and integrity.

He challenged legal professionals to propose dynamic solutions to Nigeria?s challenges, warning against empty rhetoric.

In his opening remarks, Mustapha Ogunsakin, the publisher of Gavel International, noted that the Nigerian judiciary and justice system have long been the subject of public scrutiny and criticism. (Daily Sun)