The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has expressed deep concern that Nigeria’s justice system increasingly tilts in favour of the wealthy while leaving the poor to bear the brunt.
Speaking on Sunday in Enugu at the Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Sultan warned that corruption and inequality are eroding the nation’s courts.
“Justice is increasingly becoming a purchasable commodity, and the poor are becoming victims, while the rich commit all manner of crime and walk the streets scot-free,” he said.
He cautioned that such imbalance fuels anger, mistrust, and potential violence, stressing that once public confidence in the courts collapses, citizens may be forced to resort to self-help.
The Sultan urged lawyers to place truth and fairness above personal or financial gain. “It is only when the legal profession leads by example that the public can trust the system again,” he added.
Observers argue that a justice system skewed towards the rich not only fuels crime but also discourages investment and undermines democracy.
Civil society groups have repeatedly reported that Nigeria’s prisons remain overcrowded, mostly with people awaiting trial who cannot afford legal representation or bail.
The Sultan’s warning echoes long-standing concerns over corruption and inequality in the justice sector and strengthens calls for urgent reforms, including transparent judicial processes, wider access to legal aid, and stronger oversight of court practices.