NBA President Urges Judges To Reject Gifts From Governors To Uphold Judicial Independence
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe, has called on members of the judiciary to reject gifts from state governors and other executive officials, warning that such practices threaten judicial independence.
Speaking on Thursday during an appearance on Politics HQ, a News Central program, Osigwe criticised the growing trend of close relationships between judges and politicians, which he said undermines public trust in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
Osigwe described the act of governors presenting gifts to judges as unconstitutional and demeaning, stating that it compromises the judiciary’s autonomy and integrity.
“In any situation where a governor gathers judges to display gifts, it is condemnable,” Osigwe remarked. “It is unconstitutional, demeaning, and erodes judicial independence.”
He further argued that the executive should not directly determine or fulfil the judiciary’s needs, as this creates a dependency that undermines the separation of powers. Instead, he called for proper budgetary provisions through established legal channels.
The NBA president stressed the need to end the perception of the executive as a “big brother” to the judiciary, a practice he described as humiliating.
“Budgetary allocations should not be handed out like gifts,” he said. “Such actions take away from the judiciary’s independence and dignity.”
Osigwe’s comments come amid widespread criticism of the judiciary’s perceived closeness to politicians, which has raised questions about the impartiality and credibility of Nigeria’s legal system. He urged judges to prioritise their independence and resist any actions that could compromise their integrity or the trust placed in them by the public.
The NBA’s stance highlights the need for structural reforms to ensure financial and operational autonomy for the judiciary, safeguarding it from undue influence by other branches of government.
