Nigeria’s justice system failing the poor, Sultan of Sokoto cries out

Nigeria’s top traditional ruler, the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has raised alarm that justice in the country is fast turning into something that can be bought and sold leaving the poor to suffer while the rich walk free.

The Sultan made this remark on Sunday in Enugu while speaking as a guest at the Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). He told lawyers and judges gathered at the event that corruption and inequality are weakening the very foundation of the nation’s courts.

According to him, “justice is increasingly becoming a purchasable commodity, and the poor are becoming victims of this kind of justice, while the rich commit all manner of crime and walk the streets scot-free.”

The Sultan’s message struck a chord because it mirrors what many ordinary Nigerians complain about daily that justice is no longer blind, but rather sees the weight of a person’s pocket. From land disputes in villages to high-profile corruption cases in the cities, citizens often lament that the rich can “settle” their way out of trouble, while the poor are left to languish in prison for minor offences. He warned that this dangerous imbalance is tearing at the fabric of society. When the poor no longer believe that they can get justice, he said, it fuels anger, mistrust, and even violence. If people lose confidence in the courts, they will take the law into their own hands, and that is a recipe for chaos.

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The Sultan, however, did not only sound the alarm he also threw a challenge to the Nigerian Bar Association, which is the body of all lawyers in the country. He praised the NBA for choosing the conference theme, “Stand Out and Stand Tall”, describing it as a timely call for lawyers to live up to their professional responsibility. He urged lawyers to ensure that their profession remains one of honour, where truth and fairness are placed above money and personal interests. “It is only when the legal profession leads by example that the public can trust the system again,” he noted.

The Sultan’s warning is not new. Over the years, Nigerians have complained about a justice system that seems to favour the wealthy and well-connected. Many cases involving powerful politicians, businessmen, or public officials drag on for years, often ending in technicalities that allow the accused to go free. Meanwhile, petty thieves, hawkers, or low-income individuals who cannot afford strong legal representation are quickly convicted and sent to overcrowded prisons. Reports from civil society groups have repeatedly shown that Nigeria’s correctional centres are filled mostly with people awaiting trial, many of them too poor to hire a lawyer or pay bail. The Sultan’s statement, therefore, echoes a reality that millions of Nigerians already know firsthand.

Analysts say when justice becomes something that can be bought, the consequences go far beyond individual cases. It destroys confidence in the state, discourages foreign investment, and fuels crime. If people believe the courts cannot protect them, they stop obeying laws, creating a vicious cycle of lawlessness. For example, when powerful figures accused of stealing billions of naira are set free, it sends a message that crime pays as long as you can afford the right connections. On the other hand, when a petty trader is jailed for stealing food to survive, it deepens the anger of the poor who feel abandoned by the system. This, experts argue, is why the Sultan’s words should not be taken lightly.

The Sultan’s call is a reminder that reforms in Nigeria’s justice sector cannot be delayed. From police investigations to courtrooms and prisons, loopholes that allow corruption and inequality to thrive must be blocked. Many believe that lawyers, judges, and government officials need to rise above personal gain and work together to restore faith in the justice system. Civil society groups have also argued that technology such as digital case tracking, transparent court records, and accessible legal aid could help reduce manipulation. The Sultan urged lawyers to remember their oath and their duty to defend the oppressed. “This is a chance for the NBA to truly stand out and stand tall,” he said, urging them to lead the charge in protecting Nigeria’s democracy through a fair justice system.

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Across social media, many Nigerians have already reacted to the Sultan’s comments, with some praising him for speaking truth to power. “He said what everybody knows but few dare to say,” one user wrote. Another said, “Until judges stop taking bribes, nothing will change.” Some others, however, expressed doubt that things will improve, pointing out that similar warnings have been given in the past with little result. “We hear this every year, but the system remains the same,” another comment read.