Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Kanu Agabi, has called on Nigerian judges to rise courageously against corruption, political intimidation, and democratic decay, declaring that the survival of the nation now depends on a fearless and independent judiciary.
Speaking in a passionate address to members of the bench, Agabi described Nigeria as being trapped in “one long midnight,” a period of deep moral, political, and institutional darkness. He said judges are not appointed to rest or retreat but to lead, especially at a time when other institutions have failed to check abuse of power.
Agabi praised judges for their sacrifices, noting that many have endured hardship, public condemnation, and even poverty because of their commitment to truth and justice. According to him, such sacrifices are evidence of patriotism, not failure, and future generations will recognize the role judges played in preserving the nation.
He acknowledged that Nigeria does not have a perfect judiciary and admitted that corruption has affected all sectors of society. However, he warned against the growing trend of blaming judges alone for the country’s problems, arguing that dictatorship and national decline took root because corruption permeated the entire system.
“The law is what you say it is. Say it,” Agabi declared, stressing that the judiciary derives its authority not only from the constitution but also from its own courage and integrity. He explained that under Nigeria’s federal system, the courts are empowered to expand and protect constitutional order through judicial review.
Agabi warned that the dominance of a single political party and the near-elimination of opposition have weakened Nigeria’s federal structure, making the role of the judiciary more urgent than ever. In such circumstances, he said, judges must be alert, innovative, and bold in defending the constitution using every lawful power available to them.
He further warned that the criminalization of politics, money-driven elections, ethnic division, and the collapse of accountability mechanisms have made the judiciary the last line of defence for democracy. Without decisive judicial intervention, he said, Nigeria cannot truly be described as a democratic nation.
Condemning the belief among criminals that stolen wealth can be used to compromise judges, Agabi described such thinking as a grave insult to the judiciary. He urged judges to demonstrate, through firm and impartial judgments, that they are completely opposed to corruption and criminal conduct.
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Agabi also emphasized the moral responsibility of judges, arguing that the spiritual and ethical state of the nation depends largely on the judiciary. While religious leaders teach values, he said, judges enforce obedience to the law and have the power to compel criminals to abandon wrongdoing through appropriate punishment.
Calling on judges not to fear condemnation or misunderstanding, Agabi reminded them that leadership has always come with sacrifice. He urged them to take their place at the front, lead with courage, and remain steadfast in truth, assuring them that history would judge their actions fairly.
He concluded by appealing to Nigerians to pray for the judiciary rather than attack it, insisting that as long as corruption thrives, the nation remains under judgment. According to Agabi, only a strong, principled, and independent judiciary can restore genuine democracy and guide Nigeria out of its current darkness.
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