The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe, has criticised state governors for publicly donating cars and houses to judges, describing the practice as demeaning and a threat to judicial independence.
Osigwe, who spoke during an interview said the needs of the judiciary should be met through proper budgetary allocation and not at the discretion of governors.
“It is concerning to us that governors would do things for the judiciary as if they were doing them a favour.
“Oftentimes, it’s annoying seeing some governors talk about how they give cars to judges, or invite them for public presentations of vehicles. We believe it’s demeaning and ought not to be,” he said.
The NBA president argued that such gestures raise questions about the independence of the judiciary, adding that even when judges act impartially, public perception may still suggest they are beholden to the executive.
“There’s no way you can convince anyone that a judiciary in such a situation is independent. Even if it is, the perception will always be that they are at the beck and call of the executive,” he said.
Osigwe insisted that the judiciary, being a co-equal arm of government, must not be reduced to a “beggarly situation” where chief judges routinely seek funds from governors.
He called for states to emulate the federal government by ensuring full financial autonomy for their judicial arms.
Beyond judicial independence, Osigwe also addressed broader issues of public distrust in governance, corruption, and the integrity of lawyers.
He acknowledged the presence of “bad eggs” within the legal profession but stressed that the NBA was collaborating with agencies such as the ICPC and EFCC to uphold professional standards and combat financial crimes.
He further emphasised the importance of mentorship for younger lawyers, noting that learning under ethical and principled seniors would help shape the next generation of legal practitioners.