Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju has criticised the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, over what he described as the minister’s constant public display of welfare initiatives for judges.
Speaking on Saturday, Adeyanju warned that although improving the welfare of judicial officers is necessary, the way it is repeatedly publicised by political figures could harm the independence and credibility of Nigeria’s judiciary.
According to him, judicial independence goes beyond whether judges are directly influenced by politicians. He explained that public confidence in the justice system depends largely on the perception that judges operate free from political pressure or patronage.
Adeyanju argued that the frequent announcements and publicity surrounding welfare provisions for judges could create the impression that members of the judiciary are indebted to political leaders.
He noted that when a political figure continually portrays himself as the benefactor of judges—often accompanied by media attention and fanfare—it risks sending the wrong message that the judiciary may be beholden to political power.
The lawyer added that several state governments across Nigeria provide support to their judicial institutions without turning it into a public relations exercise. As an example, he pointed to Lagos State, which he said supports the judiciary without excessive publicity.
Adeyanju warned that such public displays could portray judges as dependent on political actors instead of being seen as neutral and independent arbiters of justice.
He further cautioned that blurring the boundaries between the executive arm of government and the judiciary could weaken public trust in Nigeria’s court system, adding that actions of this nature may contribute to the growing erosion of confidence in the nation’s courts.
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