Human rights lawyer and activist Dele Farotimi has said the Nigerian judiciary performed better during the military era than under the current democratic system.
Farotimi made the claim while speaking about the state of the judiciary and the administration of justice in Nigeria.
He argued that judges during the military era were more willing to challenge government decisions and protect citizens’ rights.
Farotimi expressed concern about what he described as the declining public confidence in the judiciary under democratic governments.
He said the independence of the judiciary was essential to the protection of citizens and the functioning of the legal system.
His comments come amid ongoing debates over judicial independence, the appointment of judges, political influence and public confidence in Nigeria’s justice system.
Similar concerns have previously been raised by lawyers and civil society figures, some of whom have argued that judges during the military era demonstrated greater independence in certain cases. Others, however, have cautioned against making broad comparisons between the two periods, citing differences in the political and legal environments.
Farotimi called for measures to strengthen the judiciary and ensure that judges can perform their duties without undue influence.
