Lifusprudence: An introduction to a judicial hitman By Chidi Anselm Odinkalu

Lifusprudence: An Introduction to a Judicial Hitman” by Chidi Anselm Odinkalu introduces “Lifusprudence” as the controversial judicial brand of Justice Peter Lifu of Nigeria’s Federal High Court. It contrasts Lifu’s predictable, politically aligned rulings — often accused of disregarding constitutional guardrails, ignoring higher court orders, and inventing convenient interpretations (e.g., the recent political parties de-registration case) — with the legacy of Nigeria’s illustrious judges. The piece portrays Lifu as a dependable “judicial hitman” for ruling party interests, framing his style as a dangerous form of clientelism masquerading as law, especially ahead of elections.

The Republic of Impunity: How Nigeria Rewards Rule-Breakers and Punishes Accountability By Lawson Akhigbe

Nigeria's culture of impunity, where laws are treated as optional and accountability is viewed as unnecessary, is a significant obstacle to its development. Despite a conviction by the Supreme Court in 1997 for a serious criminal offence, Bello Magaji was never imprisoned. He was instead pardoned by President Goodluck Jonathan and later appointed as Dean of the Faculty of Law at the American University of Nigeria. This case highlights the arbitrary nature of the legal system in Nigeria, where convictions are often disregarded and individuals with criminal records can rise to high positions.

Law Practice and the Rule of Law in Nigeria: A Mirror of Its Society by Lawson Akhigbe

If you want to understand why Nigeria’s law practice struggles to find solid ground, you don’t need a commission of inquiry — just attend a random court session. There, you’ll see the Nigerian lawyer in full regalia: a powdered wig, a trembling robe, and an irresistible urge to speak Latin in a country where half …

The Police is Your Friend By Pius Adesanmi

(This is a long read. I plead guilty. I humbly ask for one hour of your time to come along with me.) There are two research questions I have to start asking Nigerians who were at least 40-years-old between 1960 and 1970: what was your police experience? What was your perception of the sociology of …

Collective Action on Corruption in Nigeria: A Social Norms Approach to Connecting Society and Institutions – Chatham House Report

That corruption is a destructive and complex practice is openly acknowledged in Nigeria, yet it remains ubiquitous in the functioning of society and economic life. Acts of diversion of federal and state revenue, business and investment capital, and foreign aid, as well as the personal incomes of Nigerian citizens, contribute to a hollowing out of …