Sultan of Sokoto has warned that Nigeria’s Justice System now favours the rich over the poor.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has expressed deep concern over what he described as the growing inequality in Nigeria’s justice system, warning that it increasingly serves the wealthy at the expense of the poor.
Speaking on Sunday at the Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Enugu, the Sultan accused the courts of being tainted by corruption and bias.
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“Justice is increasingly becoming a purchasable commodity, and the poor are becoming victims, while the rich commit all manner of crime and walk the streets scot-free,” he said.
He cautioned that such imbalance not only erodes trust in the judiciary but also fuels anger, mistrust, and the risk of citizens resorting to self-help.
The monarch urged legal practitioners to uphold truth and fairness above personal or financial gain. “It is only when the legal profession leads by example that the public can trust the system again,” he stressed.
Observers note that his remarks highlight long-standing criticisms of Nigeria’s judicial sector, where prisons remain overcrowded with awaiting-trial inmates many of whom lack access to legal representation or the means to secure bail.
Analysts further warn that a justice system tilted in favour of the rich discourages investment, fuels crime, and undermines democracy, reinforcing calls for reforms such as transparent court processes, accessible legal aid, and stronger judicial accountability.
