The Nigeria Youth Organisation (NYO) has called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to take immediate and decisive disciplinary action against judicial officers whose conduct undermines democracy and erodes public confidence in the legal system.
At a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, the President of the NYO, Comrade Okorie C. Okorie, expressed deep concern over what he described as increasing complicity and ethical lapses within the judiciary, warning that such trends pose a significant threat to Nigeria’s democratic foundations.
“Our democracy stands at a crossroads,” Okorie stated. “It is threatened not only by external enemies but by the creeping corruption and complicity embedded within its institutions.”
He emphasized that the judiciary, as the cornerstone of democracy, must not be manipulated as a tool of oppression or political retribution. “The independence of the judiciary is sacrosanct. Judges must resist any attempt to use the courts to target political opponents or manipulate electoral outcomes. The opposition is not an enemy—it is the lifeblood of a true democracy.”
The NYO leader called on the NJC to act swiftly and transparently in disciplining judges whose actions compromise democratic principles or erode public trust in the judicial process. He argued that failure to do so would further damage the credibility of the judiciary and endanger Nigeria’s democratic stability.
“Any compromise in the judiciary must provoke national outrage,” he said. “Lawyers who deliberately mislead the courts or manipulate legal processes to obstruct justice are enemies of the nation’s future.”
Okorie reiterated the NYO’s commitment to promoting judicial integrity and accountability, stressing that no individual within the justice system should be above scrutiny. He vowed that the organisation would not hesitate to mobilize protests or publicly expose individuals and institutions acting against the spirit of democracy.
“The Nigeria Youth Organisation will continue to stand as a watchdog,” he declared. “We are prepared to protest, speak out, and shine a light on anyone working to undermine democratic governance, no matter how highly placed.”
He concluded with a call to action, urging judicial officers, legal practitioners, and oversight institutions to uphold the values of courage, fairness, and integrity. “Democracy is not for the timid. It demands a judiciary that is uncorrupted, fearless, and wholly dedicated to serving the people and the nation,” Okorie said.
