AN ANALYSIS OF THE JUDICIARY IN THE LIGHT OF BANGALORE ETHICAL PRINCIPLES OF JUDICIAL CONDUCT

Abstract

The Nigerian judiciary, as an institution, has arguably nosedived into anomaly because the court has become a shield to some political elites with pending criminal and corruption cases. The court ought to be the altar of justice. However, tactically, it now seems to restrain security operatives and anti-corruption agencies from performing their statutory duties to prosecute criminal and fraudulent politicians. Majority of the cases in recent times are characterized by incessant conicting ex-parte orders of court of coordinate jurisdiction in similar political matters. The administration of justice has outrightly turned into quid pro quo agreements where the highest political bidders are often granted favourable orders, thereby impeding good governance. This paper adopts the expository and critically methods of enquiry as it scrutinizes the judiciary; arguing for its independence, impartiality and the integrity. Its ndings show that strict adherence to the ethics of the judiciary is sufcient guarantee for good governance. Unfortunately, the Nigeria judiciary has lost its jurisprudential steam and avour. Consequently, the sacred discharge of their judicial duties is imperative. In conclusion, the paper afrms that if the judiciary adheres to Bangalore Ethical Principles of Judicial Conduct in the discharge of its duties - without fear or favour – maintaining independence, impartiality and integrity, and avoiding all forms of unethical conducts; stops being the hope of the highest political bidders and tormentor of the common man among others, only then will good governance in Nigeria be guaranteed