LAND GRABBING: SALUTE NIGERIA INITIATIVE URGES CJN TO EXPOSE CORRUPT COURT OFFICIALS, DEMANDS JUSTICE FOR VICTIMS

The Salute Nigeria Initiative has called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to intensify efforts towards addressing alleged judicial corruption, land grabbing and abuse of court processes, particularly in Lagos and Delta States, warning that the activities of unscrupulous individuals allegedly working with corrupt judicial officials and security personnel could undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s justice system.

The organisation acknowledged the significant role played by the NJC since its establishment in promoting judicial accountability, discipline and institutional checks and balances. However, it expressed concern over what it described as persistent irregularities in the handling of land-related disputes, urging the Council to strengthen oversight and ensure that judicial officers and court personnel found culpable of misconduct face appropriate sanctions.

Speaking during a roundtable discussion with a panel of arbitrators in Victoria Island, Lagos, the organisation’s Public Issues Liaison Officer, Mukhtar Yakubu, raised concerns over the activities of suspected land grabbers, popularly referred to as Omo Onile in Lagos. He alleged that some individuals falsify land ownership documents to dispossess legitimate property owners, while certain court officials allegedly facilitate questionable legal processes involving disputed properties.

Yakubu further alleged that intelligence reports available to the organisation suggested that some individuals within the Lagos judicial system may have collaborated with suspected land grabbers to present properties allegedly acquired through fraudulent means as collateral for bail applications. He called for a comprehensive investigation to establish the facts and identify any officials involved.

In a related development, the organisation raised allegations concerning land disputes in Ibusa, Delta State, claiming that a deceased former senator and an alleged fraudster had been linked to activities involving suspected corrupt High Court personnel and police officers. According to the group, questionable restraining orders were allegedly used to frustrate legitimate landowners, even in cases where valid court judgments had been delivered, without following established procedures for setting aside judgments, seeking a stay of execution or filing appeals.

The Salute Nigeria Initiative disclosed that a petition concerning the allegations had been channelled through the Office of the Special Assistant on Intergovernmental Affairs to the West African Special Envoy of the International Human Rights Protection Service Forum. It urged the NJC to examine the complaints thoroughly, investigate all persons implicated and ensure that justice is administered without fear or favour.

The organisation also commended the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) for what it described as a commitment to judicial accountability, particularly the reported directive for investigations and the constitution of committees to examine petitions involving alleged misconduct. It expressed confidence that sustained institutional reforms and transparent disciplinary procedures would help restore public trust in the judiciary.

While acknowledging the achievements of the judiciary, the group appealed to the National Assembly to increase budgetary allocations to the judicial arm of government, stressing that adequate funding, institutional independence and effective oversight remain critical to strengthening the administration of justice.

The geoup, maintained that the credibility of Nigeria’s justice system must not be compromised by the alleged actions of a few individuals, insisting that every citizen deserves equal protection under the law, regardless of social, political or economic status.