105 corrupt judges in nigeria under abacha news magazine 2000
A very interesting and timely topic!
The article you're referring to is likely from a 2000 edition of News Magazine, a Nigerian publication. The article claims that 105 corrupt judges in Nigeria were investigated and found guilty during the regime of General Sani Abacha, who was the military head of state from 1993 to 1998.
Abacha's regime was notorious for its corruption, human rights abuses, and looting of the country's treasury. The investigation and prosecution of corrupt judges was part of a broader effort to root out corruption and restore accountability in the judiciary.
The article likely reported on the findings of a judicial commission of inquiry set up by the Abacha government to investigate allegations of corruption against judges. The commission, headed by Justice Kayode Eso, was established in 1995 and submitted its report in 1997.
According to the report, the commission found that many judges had engaged in corrupt practices, including accepting bribes, embezzling funds, and manipulating court cases. The report recommended the prosecution of 105 judges, and many of them were subsequently charged and convicted.
Some notable cases include:
- Justice Kayode Idowu, who was convicted of accepting a bribe of N1.5 million (approximately $10,000 at the time) to influence a court case.
- Justice Olufemi Oluleye, who was convicted of embezzling N2.5 million (approximately $17,000 at the time) from a court registry.
- Justice Ayo Ogunye, who was convicted of accepting a bribe of N500,000 (approximately $3,500 at the time) to influence a court case.
The investigation and prosecution of corrupt judges was seen as a significant step towards reforming the judiciary and restoring public trust in the institution. However, the Abacha regime's overall record on corruption and human rights was widely criticized, and the regime's legacy continues to be a subject of controversy and debate in Nigeria today.