EXPLORING SHARIAH MEASURES FOR CURBING JUDICIAL CORRUPTION IN NORTHERN NIGERIA

Abstract

Corruption is imbedded in every facet of the Nigeria polity. The judiciary is not exempted from this phenomenon. Corruption is so well established in the country that all efforts towards fighting corruption seem unworkable. The Nigerian government is constitutionally organized as three branches: the Legislature, Executive and the Judiciary, all under the doctrine of separation of powers. These three arms of government are expected to work under a symbiotic relationship in addressing corruption. However, the third body, which is saddled with the responsibility of interpreting the laws and determining dispute, is also affected by the menace of corruption. Thus, this study attempts to explore the Islamic perspectives on judicial corruption and its relevance to the Nigerian situation. We found that corruption within the judicial system undermined development and fighting against it under the conventional laws is unworkable. Thus, attempts should be made to employ Islamic principles to remedy this issue, especially when the Constitution recognizes Islamic Law as an applicable and alternative legal system in Nigeria.