In a scathing critique of Nigeria’s legal and governance systems, Jubril Samuel Okutepa, SAN, a prominent advocate known for his steadfast commitment to justice, has decried the pervasive abuse of legal processes in the country. He asserts that the Nigerian judiciary and executive systems have become fertile grounds for the misuse of legal frameworks to achieve unlawful and selfish ends.
Okutepa expressed his concerns about the state of judicial integrity in Nigeria, particularly in matters relating to elections. He described how judicial processes are routinely manipulated, with parties filing an overwhelming number of motions and processes designed to bog down judges and opponents alike. “Justice is undermined, and confidence in justice eroded daily,” he lamented.
According to the Senior Advocate, this erosion of justice has far-reaching implications for national development. “Those who are supposed to use law for the good of the people circumvent laws either to enrich themselves or misuse the law as an instrument of oppression,” he said.
One of the most troubling manifestations of this trend, Okutepa noted, is the use of security agencies as debt recovery agents. Despite numerous judicial rulings that prohibit security agencies from intervening in civil contract disputes, many Nigerians are reportedly imprisoned due to such violations. “Most security agencies today act as debt recovery agencies on a commission basis. The powerful, the affluent, and the untouchable in society often have these agencies in their pockets,” he stated.
He highlighted the lack of immediate remedies for victims of such abuses, explaining how the judicial process itself has become a tool of oppression. “In most cases, victims of lawless adjudications languish in prison at the instance and instigation of powerful individuals using the apparatus of the state,” Okutepa said.
The Senior Advocate also questioned the effectiveness of existing mechanisms for accountability, such as petitions to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee. While such petitions provide an avenue for recourse, Okutepa argued that they are often delayed and inadequate in addressing the suffering endured by victims. “It is doubtful if such decisions, even when rendered on time, can properly compensate victims of judicial lawlessness and oppressive proceedings,” he remarked.
In a bold call for reform, Okutepa suggested reviewing the immunity granted to judicial officers and legal practitioners. While acknowledging that such immunity is standard in many jurisdictions, he questioned whether it might be time to rethink this policy. “Shouldn’t those who suffer terrible pains at the hands of some judges and lawyers have recourse to litigation for remedies?” he asked, emphasizing the principle that where there is a wrong, there must be a remedy.
He also drew parallels between the misuse of legal processes and electoral malpractices, describing both as systemic failures that embolden wrongdoers while leaving victims without justice. “No society can grow and develop when wrongdoers are celebrated while victims are left without remedies. This is the sad reality of our system of governance in Nigeria,” Okutepa said.
The Senior Advocate concluded by urging Nigerians to confront these systemic abuses and prioritize the provision of immediate remedies for victims of judicial and legal lawlessness. “Time has come for us, as a people, to address the alarming rate at which the law is being misused against hapless Nigerians. Only then can we restore confidence in our judiciary and pave the way for national development,” he declared.
Jubril Samuel Okutepa, SAN, has long been recognized as a vocal advocate for justice and accountability in Nigeria. His latest remarks serve as a wake-up call for stakeholders in the legal and governance sectors to reform systems that perpetuate oppression and undermine the rule of law.
