OCJ Okocha (center) with different senior legal professionals on the valedictory court docket session in honour of Owupele Daniel Kalio
…Says Osigwe was improper to talk with out pinning the details on individuals
Onueze Chukwujinka Joe (O.C.J.) Okocha, a senior advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and a distinguished Nigerian authorized practitioner, has disassociated himself from the remarks of the present president of the Nigerian Bar Affiliation (NBA) on Nigerian judiciary.
Okocha, the nineteenth president of the NBA (2000–2002), spoke on the valedictory court docket session in honour of Owupele Daniel Kalio, Justice of the Federal Courtroom of Attraction, who clocked 70 on Tuesday, February 17, 2026. He stated Afam Osigwe didn’t level at particular circumstances however allegedly made sweeping statements.
The present NBA President had accused members of the judiciary and authorized occupation of being essentially the most corrupt Nigerians, claiming that many judgments within the nation now rely extra on the “fatness of envelopes” as an alternative on the burden of proof.
Osigwe spoke final Friday, February 13, 2026, on the Ralph Opara Memorial Lecture in Enugu, with the theme; ‘Judicial Corruption in Nigeria: A Menace to Democracy and Social Justice’ the place he described the scenario as a “ethical disaster and a democratic emergency” that threatens the muse of Nigeria.
He had stated: “The Judiciary, as soon as perceived because the final hope of the frequent man, is more and more perceived as a market the place justice is auctioned to the very best bidder.”
He had lamented that widespread disillusionment has emerged as residents now view courtrooms as arenas the place rulings are influenced by bribes reasonably than proof.
Osigwe had cited information, noting {that a} 2024 survey by the UNODC and the Nationwide Bureau of Statistics revealed that public officers obtained roughly N721 billion bribes in money in 2023, with judges among the many prime recipients. An ICPC survey additionally indicated that N9.4 billion in bribes flowed by means of the justice sector between 2018 and 2020, with legal professionals and litigants recognized as major bribe-givers. But, Okocha argued that Osigwe didn’t cite particular circumstances.
Okocha, who described Kalio as having an unblemished file with none scandals, stated what Osigwe stated made sordid tales about bribery and corruption within the judiciary. He famous that saying the Bar and Bench in Nigeria had been essentially the most corrupt was unacceptable to him. “I disagree and I distance myself from it.”
He insisted that the integrity of the judiciary should be protected always as required in Article 3(1) of the foundations guiding the occupation, saying the NBA should defend the judiciary. “Osigwe should submit proof, not sweeping allegations. This isn’t good for the judiciary. Withdraw it or deny it.”
Okocha nevertheless admitted that the physique of legal professionals and judges should not play the ostrich and deny that there’s corruption however argued that wickedness or evil is discovered all over the place.
On her key handle, Monica Bolna’an Dongban-Mensem, President of the Courtroom of Attraction of Nigeria since June 11, 2020, described Kalio as a decide with promptness in day by day resumption of court docket, calling him ‘a 9’oclock man’. She stated the retiring justice just isn’t solely devoted however is likely one of the most interesting jurists with specialty in authorized drafting.
“He’s a person of few phrases, and extremely wanted who received a number of awards as ‘Decide of the 12 months’.
