By George Ozalla
The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has expressed deep concern over the state of Nigeria’s judicial system, describing justice as a “purchasable commodity” where the poor are denied fair treatment while the wealthy evade accountability.
The Sultan made this remark while speaking at the Nigerian Bar Association’s (NBA) 2025 Annual General Conference in Enugu. He urged lawyers to uphold the rule of law and ensure equal justice for all citizens, emphasizing that justice is the foundation of stable societies and that law must always target justice as its ultimate goal.
The Sultan lamented that corruption and inequality are undermining the integrity of the judicial system, allowing the rich to commit crimes and walk free while the poor suffer. He called on lawyers to use their profession to bridge divisions and foster national unity, addressing social injustices and promoting cohesion.
The Sultan also stressed the need to improve access to justice, particularly for the weak and vulnerable, and to reduce the rising cost of litigation. He emphasized the importance of law reforms to decolonize Nigeria’s laws and make them more relevant to the country’s values, culture, and history.
