The Nigeria judiciary received a heavy knock at the weekend, with a former justice of the Supreme Court, Amina Adamu Augie,  likening it to “market stall”

The retired justice warned that corruption within Nigeria’s judiciary and legal profession is eroding public confidence in the administration of justice and transforming the courts from institutions of impartiality into what she described as “market stalls.”

Justice Adamu Augie, who spoke at the 40th anniversary celebration of the Nigerian Law School Class of 1986, in Abuja, regretted that corrupt practices involving judges, lawyers and court officials had weakened the credibility of the justice system and damaged the public’s perception of the legal profession.

She further listed  political interference, inadequate funding and delays in the administration of justice as some of the most serious challenges confronting  Nigeria’s judiciary

She noted that the justice system must be designed in a way that protects judicial officers and other legal practitioners from undue pressure and temptation, rather than exposing them to conditions that make misconduct easier.

Augie expressed particular concern about the conduct of some senior members of the legal profession, saying their actions had contributed substantially to the decline in public trust in the courts and the wider justice system.

“Have we kept faith with them? In part, YES, in part, NO. Public trust has paid the price. The public today is quick to believe the worst of lawyers, and sorry to say, not always without cause.

“When a few senior members of the profession have been found to traffic in the corruption of justice, the damage is not to them alone; it stains the gown we all wear.

“Restoring that trust is not a matter of better public relations. It is a matter of conduct and a profession willing to discipline its own, without fear or favor, no matter how senior the offender may be in the legal profession,” she said.

The retired justice reminded lawyers that their foremost duty was to the court and the administration of justice, not merely to the clients who retained them. She said professional responsibility demanded honesty, candour, respect for judicial authority and commitment to the rule of law.

“A Judiciary that must beg the executive for a Courtroom roof, vehicles, or even the Judges’ entitlements is not fully free; financial autonomy for the Courts is not a perk for Justices and Judges, but a guarantee for litigants,” she said.

Augie called for comprehensive reforms to strengthen judicial independence, improve access to justice, modernise case management, reduce delays and restore ethical standards across the legal profession.

By Tony Chuddy 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has been dragged before an Abuja federal high court ruling ver an alleged misappropriation of an unaccounted N126billion Naira election operations fund 

Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) asked the court to mandate INEC to among other things, account for the fund, which it alleged was diverted, lost, mismanaged or otherwise unaccounted for.

SERAP in the suit, prayed for an order of mandamus compelling INEC to disclose details of the expenditure, utilisation and disbursement of the funds, which were meant for the procurement of ballot boxes, electoral devices and materials, result sheets, vehicles and accreditation devices, as well as audit and consultancy services.

The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/2507/2026, was filed last week at the Federal High Court in Abuja, according to a statement issued by SERAP Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, on Sunday.

According to the organisation, the allegations were contained in the 2023 audited report of the Auditor-General of the Federation, published on August 7, 2026. The alleged infractions covered periods between January and December 2022 and, in some cases, extended to December 31, 2023.

In the suit filed by its lawyers, Kolawole Oluwadare, Kehinde Oyewumi and Andrew Nwankwo, SERAP is seeking “an order of mandamus to direct and compel INEC to promptly disclose detailed information on the expenditure, utilisation and disbursement of over ₦126.46 billion appropriated for electoral operations, including the procurement of election materials, equipment, and vehicles.”

It is also seeking “an order of mandamus to direct and compel INEC to disclose a full financial and documentary account of the over ₦126 billion appropriated for electoral operations, including amounts released and paid, payment beneficiaries, details of contractors and their beneficial owners.”

SERAP argued, “Electoral resources are public resources. INEC must be able to account for every naira, demonstrate that it was lawfully spent and show that it served the purposes for which it was appropriated. These allegations are particularly disturbing given the constitutional importance of INEC and the fact that the expenditure concerns resources appropriated for the administration of Nigeria’s electoral system.

“With the 2027 general elections approaching, transparency and accountability in the management of these funds are essential to safeguarding public confidence in the electoral process and ensuring that resources intended to support credible elections are properly utilised.

“These findings by the Auditor-General suggest a grave violation of the public trust and the provisions of the Nigerian Constitution 1999 (as amended), national anti-corruption laws, and the country’s obligations under the UN Convention against Corruption.

“Democracy requires an informed citizenry. That principle is directly relevant to public expenditure by an electoral management body: citizens are entitled to know how resources entrusted to INEC for the conduct of elections have been used.”

According to the suit, the Auditor-General reported that INEC “irregularly paid” more than ₦112bn (₦112,155,597,845.00) “for ballot boxes, electoral devices, items and materials without competitive bidding or a BPP Certificate of No Objection. The Auditor-General found ‘no evidence that the items were procured.’ The ‘contracts were awarded to companies whose competences, experience, capacities, addresses and factory locations were unknown.’ He is concerned that the money ‘may have been diverted.’ He wants the money recovered.”

The suit also alleged that INEC “paid over ₦1 billion [₦1,058,925,000.00] for Toyota Prado TXL 2021 Model without advertisement, competitive bidding, bid evaluation or a BPP Certificate of No Objection. The Auditor-General fears that the money ‘may have been lost’ and that the contracts ‘may have been inflated.’”

On payments for electoral materials, SERAP stated that INEC “paid over ₦3 billion [₦3,136,806,050.00] to four contractors for ballot guides, sensitive materials and result sheets before the contracts were awarded, with no evidence of payment. The Auditor-General is concerned that the money ‘may have been diverted.’ He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury.”

The organisation further alleged that INEC “paid over ₦9 billion [₦9,245,965,502.60] for 22 contracts for similar goods and services”, with the contracts “split to circumvent procurement procedures and awarded on the same day.”

It said the Auditor-General reported that the money “may have been lost” and that “the payment may have been made for items not supplied.”

On payments to accounting firms, SERAP stated that INEC “paid over ₦129 million [₦129,375,000.00] to 19 accounting firms for financial audit services without evidence of utilisation or requests and expenditure by the consultants. The Auditor-General raised concerns that the money ‘may have been diverted.’ He wants the money recovered and remitted to the treasury.”

The suit also stated that INEC “paid over ₦504 million [₦504,492,641.00] for accreditation devices without due procurement process. The ‘APG had expired before the security licence key was delivered and the software was valid for only four months, raising questions about economy and value for money.’ The Auditor-General also raised concerns that the money ‘may have been diverted.’”

On other alleged procurement irregularities, SERAP said INEC “paid over ₦235 million [₦235,103,000.00] to unqualified contractors for sleeping mats and digital archiving. The Auditor-General identified ‘serious concerns regarding the eligibility and capacity of the contractors’, and raised concerns that the money ‘may have been lost.’ He wants the money recovered.”

SERAP is asking the court to compel INEC to provide evidence of how the funds were spent and establish the whereabouts of the electoral materials allegedly procured.

The suit further stated, “INEC should provide documentary and physical evidence that the over ₦112 billion identified as ‘irregularly paid’ was actually used to procure the electoral materials concerned and account for the present location and status of those materials. Nigerians have a right to know every public act, everything that is done in the public interest, by their public institutions including INEC.”

According to SERAP, “INEC should be directed to ensure that no electoral equipment, material or other public asset covered by the Auditor-General’s findings is disposed of, transferred, destroyed, written off or otherwise dealt with in a manner that could frustrate transparency and accountability.

“The names of the contractors, companies, suppliers and consultants who irregularly received public funds, as well as any INEC officials or other public officials who authorised, processed, facilitated or benefited from the transactions should be widely published.

“Nigerians have the right to know whether the contracted goods and services were actually supplied; whether payments corresponded with goods and services actually delivered; and whether contracts were deliberately split to circumvent procurement requirements.

“Nigeria’s obligations under the UN Convention against Corruption require INEC to adopt preventive anti-corruption policies and transparent public procurement and public financial management.” the organisation insisted 

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the suit.

By Our Reporter

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has secured all 21 chairmanship positions and 239 councillorship seats in the Kogi State local government elections held on Saturday, October 17, 2026.

The Chairman of the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission (KOSIEC), Mamman Nda-Eri, announced the results on Sunday at the commission’s headquarters in Lokoja, declaring candidates of the ruling party winners across the state’s 21 local government areas and 239 electoral wards.

Nda-Eri said the election covered 3,508 polling units across the state, adding that the collation of results from all 21 local government areas had been concluded.

According to him, the APC candidates emerged victorious after meeting the legal requirements and recording the highest number of valid votes in their respective contests.

“Having fulfilled all requirements of the law and having scored the highest number of valid votes cast, the candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are hereby declared winners and returned elected as Chairmen of the 21 Local Government Areas and Councillors of the 239 Wards of Kogi State,” the KOSIEC chairman stated.

The commission said the election was conducted in line with the Kogi State Independent Electoral Commission Law, 2025, and the Electoral Act, 2022.

Describing the exercise as peaceful, free, fair and credible, Nda-Eri commended political parties, security agencies, accredited election observers, journalists, traditional rulers, civil society organisations and voters for their cooperation throughout the electoral process.

He disclosed that KOSIEC had conducted voter education campaigns and engaged relevant stakeholders before the election.

The chairman also said the commission provided a level playing field for the 12 political parties cleared to participate in the exercise.

Nda-Eri further disclosed that the commission did not receive any petition challenging the electoral process before or during the election.

He said the date for the presentation of Certificates of Return to the elected chairmen and councillors would be announced in due course.

The KOSIEC chairman also praised Governor Ahmed Ododo for providing the logistics and conducive environment required for the election, adding that the governor allowed the commission to perform its duties without interference.

Before the final results were announced, KOSIEC and independent election observers had expressed satisfaction with the conduct of the poll, citing the peaceful atmosphere, security arrangements and voter participation.

During an assessment of the exercise, Nda-Eri reiterated the commission’s commitment to ensuring that votes cast were counted and reflected in the final results.

He described voter turnout at the polling units visited as impressive, adding that the commission had adhered to its electoral timetable and remained committed to completing the process in accordance with the law.