A retired justice of the Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice Oludotun Adebola Adefope-Okojie, has condemned the rising influence of tribalism in political appointments, urging a return to merit-based selection across public institutions.
She also warned that a dysfunctional judiciary deters investment and stifles economic growth. Speaking at the unveiling of her new book, “Civil Litigation: A Quick Reference Guide to Substantive Law and Procedure”, the former Justice of the Court of Appeal, who retired in May 2023, emphasised that no investor will risk capital in a country where the legal system is unreliable, corrupt, or inefficient.
Her Lordship, who served in the Lagos Division, highlighted that a robust judiciary is essential for economic prosperity. “Investors seek certainty—enforceable contracts, protected property rights, and fair dispute resolution,” she stated.
According to Justice Adefope-Okojie, nations with independent and efficient judiciaries succeed in attracting significant foreign direct investment, while countries with failing systems suffer capital flight and economic stagnation.
Again, she warned that Nigeria cannot achieve meaningful progress if mediocrity, driven by tribal and sectional interests, continues to dominate critical appointments.
“In this nation, we cannot continue with the patronage of mediocrity if we are to move forward,” she said. “We must move away from tribal politics and sectional favoritism, especially when we have so many sound and brilliant minds in this country.”
Further reflecting on the judiciary, she described its current state as “comatose” and cautioned that deep divisions threaten national unity.
“The nation is going through a lot. There is so much division. The truth must be told — we must come back to the truth,” she added.
Justice Adefope-Okojie further expressed concern over the public’s declining confidence in the judiciary, citing the massive backlog of unresolved cases as a key factor undermining the rule of law and discouraging foreign investment.
“No serious investor will bring their money into a country where court cases drag on for years without resolution. We must deal with the backlog of cases — otherwise, we are going nowhere,” she stated.
Drawing from her extensive legal career, which began with her call to the Nigerian Bar in 1976 and included earning an LL.M. from the University of London, Justice Adefope-Okojie urged urgent judicial reforms. She advocated for measures like arbitration to reduce case backlogs and called for greater judicial independence and accountability. “A judiciary that cannot deliver timely and impartial justice is a national liability,” she declared, pressing policymakers and citizens to demand systemic change.
Her remarks, echoed from her valedictory speech in 2023, serve as a powerful call to action. Justice Adefope-Okojie’s critique underscores the need for a transparent, efficient judiciary to restore investor confidence and unlock economic potential. Without reforms, the nation risks continued economic isolation, missing opportunities for growth and development. Her words challenge leaders to prioritize justice system improvements to secure a prosperous future.
Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, praised the book as a valuable addition to Nigeria’s legal literature and urged jurists to contribute more to legal scholarship.
“This book will surely fill a gap in Nigeria’s legal system, particularly in the area of civil litigation,” Fagbemi said, encouraging other legal minds to write and publish works that support legal practice and judicial reforms.
The event, chaired by Honourable Justice Amina Augie, had former Vice President Prof. Yemi Osinbajo and Emir of Kano, Dr. Muhammad Sanusi, as Special Guests of Honour. The book was reviewed by Isaiah Bozimo, SAN, who described it as a product of decades of judicial experience.
