The report highlights distrust in judicial integrity, with 64 per cent blaming lawyers for corruption and just 29 per cent seeing judges as impartial.
A new report by the HEDA Resource Centre reveals that many Nigerians perceive the judiciary as corrupt, inaccessible, and politically compromised. Launched in Lagos, the report—Voices for Justice—surveyed 1,357 respondents nationwide.
“Young people are clearly engaged… yet, 50 per cent said they had never interacted with the courts,” said Sulaimon Arigbabu, HEDA’s Executive Secretary. Only 12.6 per cent rated the judiciary highly accessible, while nearly half admitted to paying court officials.
The report highlights distrust in judicial integrity, with 64 per cent blaming lawyers for corruption and just 29 per cent seeing judges as impartial.
It also notes financial autonomy has not translated into accountability. “This is a mirror held up to power—we must listen to citizens,” Mr Arigbabu said.
Respondents recommended reforms including livestreaming trials, stronger oversight, and public legal education.