Sincerely, our system of justice has been affecting our politics in Nigeria, since the 1999 transition from military to democracy.
Truth and justice are two indispensable weapons needed in any society to ensure growth and development, because without justice, the society would be worse off.

Besides, some of our political leaders, who ought to serve as role models are themselves deficient in moral values and character. The issue is that some political jobbers usually hijack voters’ registration, hoard the documents and use them on the day of  election for electoral malpractises. This has resulted in the vicious cycle of election of deceitful and short-sighted politicians, who have since  the 2003 and 2007 general elections held the country to ransome.

Such people, once elected into office, fight to retain it at all cost.

Unfortunately, in a society like Nigeria, the extant law places a great burden on litigants to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt. Therefore, in the end, the present system favours charlatans, cheats and criminals, who commit heinous crimes to get to power, while using the state resources to defend themselves after their elected.

Laws are made with the aim of ensuring that there is impartially in the dispensation of justice. If justice is dispensed  without fear or favour, both the litigant and the respondent will be satisfied at the end of the day. Evidence has shown that some judges have displayed uncommon courage in handling cases, while others just give judgment, either for pecuniary purposes or to satisfy a selfish end, especially at election tribunals.

The society would be the ultimate loser if people lose confidence in the judicial system. This is because the alternative will be to resort to jungle justice, which would not be in the national interest.

Meanwhile, there are states where criminals who committed crime during elections got away with it. The criminals, in connivance with the law enforcement agents had a field day. In the interest of the country, we should all work towards justice in the country.

If justice is allowed to prevail, people who are voted into office will implement the wishes of the people.

However, there is a need to encourage the younger ones to believe that truth, and not falsehood, pays. This would help to inculcate in them the culture of entrenching justice in the society.

Afolabi Oluseyi Isreal,
University of Maiduguri,
Borno State.

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