In a surprising admission, the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, has acknowledged that the judiciary under President Bola Tinubu’s administration prioritizes the interests of wealthy citizens over those of the common man.
Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony for the N37 billion Abuja Division of the Appeal Court Complex, Fagbemi expressed concerns about the state of the judicial sector.
He stated that the judiciary is no longer the last hope of the common man, but rather serves the interests of the elite, according to Politics Nigeria.
Fagbemi noted that the upcoming election would reveal the extent of the judiciary’s bias towards the wealthy and powerful.
Despite his concerns, he expressed hope that the new complex would symbolize truth and protect people’s rights.
The ceremony was attended by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who announced that the structure is expected to be completed by September 2025, with President Tinubu approving N30 billion of the total cost in the 2024 budget.
He said, “Gone were those days when the judiciary was regarded as the last hope of the common man. I take objection to it. It is the big people now who patronise the judiciary, not even the common man. If you have any doubt, the election is approaching, come and see the way, with all due respect, some people behave like rain-beaten chickens. Forgive me, I don’t mean to be rude. So, the judiciary is no longer the last hope of the common man alone, it is also, or majorly now, the last hope of the big shots.”
