The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN) has warned that Nigeria’s federal system faces serious danger due to the growing dominance of a single political party.
The body said the decline of effective opposition has weakened federalism and placed greater responsibility on the judiciary to defend the Constitution and the rule of law.
BOSAN made the remarks at a special court session marking the opening of the 2025/2026 Legal Year of the Federal High Court and the 41st Annual Judges’ Conference, held in Abuja on Monday.
Currently, the All Progressives Congress (APC) controls at least 26 of Nigeria’s 36 states, a development opposition parties say signals a drift toward a one-party system.
‘When Opposition Is Weak, Judiciary Must Be Strong’
In an address delivered on its behalf by former Attorney-General of the Federation Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), BOSAN stressed the need for a bold and independent judiciary.
“When there is no strong opposition, the judiciary must be strong,” Agabi said.
He urged judges to remain courageous, innovative, and committed to protecting the Constitution, especially in periods of political imbalance.
According to BOSAN, the framers of the Constitution entrusted the judiciary with its protection and equipped it with the powers required to enforce it, even in times of widespread corruption.
“At such a time as this, you must be bold and courageous,” the address stated. “You must be honest. You must be innovative.”
BOSAN Raises Alarm Over Criminalisation of Politics
The senior advocates also warned against what they described as the criminalisation of politics, saying the judiciary now represents the nation’s last hope.
They argued that money politics, violence, ethnicity, and the erosion of checks and balances have weakened democratic accountability.
“If corruption continues unchecked, we should not consider ourselves a democracy,” BOSAN said.
The body urged judges to assert their authority without fear, stressing that history would vindicate those who act with integrity.
“A nation is only as good as its judiciary,” the address added.
CJN Calls Judiciary Last Line of Defence
Speaking at the event, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, acknowledged growing public scrutiny of the judiciary.
She said the courts remain the final safeguard of constitutional rights and democratic values.
“The Judiciary does not speak through press statements,” she said. “Our judgments are our voice.”
Justice Kekere-Ekun stressed that transparency, impartiality, and integrity must guide judicial conduct, especially in an era of misinformation and declining public trust.
She also highlighted the importance of discipline in court processes, noting that punctuality and consistency shape public confidence in justice delivery.
Federal High Court Reports Case Statistics, Reforms
The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John T. Tsoho, disclosed that the court disposed of 16,019 cases during the 2023/2024 legal year.
According to him, the total included 3,113 civil cases, 5,818 criminal cases, 3,724 motions, and 3,374 fundamental rights matters.
Justice Tsoho also announced the introduction of an e-filing system at the Lagos Division, with plans to extend it nationwide.
He said the court continues to invest in infrastructure and technology to improve service delivery despite limited resources.
NBA Urges Judges to Guard Independence
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe (SAN), urged judges to protect their independence, noting that public confidence rests on judicial neutrality.
He commended the Federal High Court for its resilience and called for continued courage in judicial decision-making.
According to Osigwe, court rulings play a critical role in shaping governance and preserving national stability.
