Vice President Kashim Shettima has called on the judiciary to remain steadfast and unwavering in the face of blackmail, emphasizing that the third arm of government must resist any attempts to manipulate justice for selfish interests.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday at the inaugural Body of Benchers Annual Lecture and the public presentation of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee’s report, Shettima underscored the judiciary’s critical role in upholding Nigeria’s sovereignty.
“A nation is only as accountable, fair, and orderly as the people who make, enforce, and interpret its laws,” Shettima stated, warning against any compromises that could weaken the legal system.
He cautioned judges and legal practitioners against succumbing to pressure from what he described as “agents of anarchy,” stressing that justice must not be manipulated to serve narrow interests.
“Laws are not mere technicalities; they are the scaffolding of civilization,” Shettima remarked. “Without laws, there is no order. Without order, there is no society. Every time justice is delayed or the law is bent to serve vested interests, we erode the foundation of our nation. And if that foundation crumbles, everything falls apart.”
Rejecting the notion that justice should favor the loudest voices, the Vice President commended the judiciary for upholding the rule of law, citing its role in affirming the electoral mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu despite political pressure.
“In reality, justice is just as essential to the most voiceless individual,” he added, reiterating the need for fairness and impartiality in legal proceedings.
His remarks, as noticed by WorldClass247News, come amid growing concerns over the independence of Nigeria’s judiciary, with calls for stronger protections against external interference.