Nigeria’s justice system is under the spotlight again, as prominent lawyer and human rights advocate, Professor Chidi Odinkalu, has sharply criticised the role of senior legal practitioners in its decline.
In an explosive interview on Inside Sources, a Channels Television programme hosted by Laolu Akande, Odinkalu did not hold back. He accused veteran lawyers of creating a system that prioritises personal gain over justice.
“Our seniors in this vocation have made a mess of the legal process,” Odinkalu declared. “They made it inaccessible to all but a few people, and now, in the twilight of their years, they cannot even get justice from the same system they created.”
Farotimi’s Arrest Sparks Debate
The controversy centres around Dele Farotimi, a lawyer, author, and human rights activist, who is currently entangled in multiple defamation lawsuits.
Farotimi’s troubles began when he alleged judicial corruption involving the revered legal icon, Afe Babalola, in his book Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System. He claimed Babalola manipulated a Supreme Court judgment.
Earlier this month, the police arrested Farotimi at his Lagos office and forcibly transported him to Ekiti State, where he was arraigned on charges of criminal defamation. Despite pleading not guilty, he has spent three weeks in prison while legal battles rage in Ekiti, Abuja, and Oyo states.
Farotimi’s case has ignited discussions about Nigeria’s defamation laws. According to Odinkalu, criminal defamation has been decriminalised in Ekiti, Lagos, and Edo states. “Persons seeking remedies for libel or slander can only do so in civil law,” he explained.
‘Every Rule Has Been Breached’
Odinkalu acknowledged the seriousness of defamation but argued that the ongoing proceedings against Farotimi expose deeper flaws in Nigeria’s legal system.
“If Farotimi is guilty, he should be held accountable,” Odinkalu said. “But every rule that can be breached has been breached. The context here is that Dele made allegations about judicial corruption, and instead of addressing the root of these claims, we are further exposing the corruption he spoke about.”
The professor criticised the excessive delays in Nigeria’s legal process. He highlighted how cases often drag on for over a decade, discouraging ordinary citizens from seeking justice.
“If you sue for defamation now, you could be in court for 15 years,” Odinkalu remarked. “The high court takes 11 to 15 years, then preliminary objections, and then you’re locked up in the Supreme Court.”
Generational Responsibility
Odinkalu placed the blame squarely on the shoulders of senior lawyers, accusing them of exploiting the system for personal benefit.
“They made a lot of money and names from making litigation inaccessible,” he said. “Now, in the winter of their years, they find they cannot rely on this same process to deliver justice to them.”
He also described the introduction of criminal defamation charges in states where such laws no longer apply as “manufactured remedies” designed to bypass established legal principles.
“This is my theory,” Odinkalu added. “They’ve created a system so broken that it now works against them too.”
A Broken System
Farotimi’s ordeal reflects broader issues within Nigeria’s judiciary. Critics argue that corruption, outdated practices, and inefficiency have eroded public trust.
Odinkalu’s comments have resonated with many Nigerians who see the legal system as inaccessible and unjust. The arrest and detention of a human rights advocate for voicing concerns about corruption only deepens these perceptions.
Farotimi’s supporters have called for his immediate release, framing his legal battles as a test of Nigeria’s commitment to free speech and justice.
The Way Forward
While Odinkalu’s remarks highlight the flaws in Nigeria’s legal system, they also call for accountability and reform.
“There must be remedies for injuries to reputation,” he stated. “But those remedies should exist in civil law, not through punitive criminal measures.”
As the legal fireworks continue, many hope this case will catalyse meaningful changes in the justice system. However, for now, Dele Farotimi remains in prison, caught in the crossfire of a legal process that critics say is long overdue for reform.
