Former Nigerian Senator Ishaku Abbo has voiced strong criticism against what he described as widespread corruption within the judiciary, warning that Nigerian democracy cannot progress without substantial judicial reform.
Speaking with journalists in Yola, Abbo emphasized that the judiciary must be restructured to uphold justice rather than undermine it. The former senator was removed from office earlier this year by the Appeal Court in Abuja, which overturned an earlier Tribunal ruling that favored his return to the Senate for a second term. According to Abbo, vote-buying has become more prevalent within judicial proceedings than in the general political landscape.
“My mandate was hijacked in the courtroom by certain judiciary bandits who misuse the seat of judgment,” Abbo remarked. “Judgment comes from God, and if you are appointed as a judge, you represent God’s justice on earth. If you accept bribes to deliver injustice, you will face divine judgment.”
Abbo also alleged that a senior judicial official approached him in Abuja, alongside his wife, soliciting a bribe on behalf of the judges overseeing his case. He claimed to possess video evidence of the encounter and warned that he would speak to leaders in the official’s home state of Taraba to urge corrective action, lest the official’s career be cut short by accusations of corruption.
The former senator went on to criticize the political leadership in northern Nigeria, attributing the region’s challenges to self-serving decisions by some of its leaders. “We can’t blame President Bola Tinubu,” he said, “because most northern leaders approached him to negotiate for personal gain rather than for the region’s benefit. They’ve reaped rewards meant for the entire north.”
On his political future, Abbo revealed that he is considering a run for governor in 2027. He is currently consulting with stakeholders and intends to make a formal announcement once consultations are complete.
