Niger Delta Oil Communities Turn to Foreign Courts Amid Fading Trust in Nigerian Judiciary
By NaijaEnquirer Staff
Stakeholders have raised concerns that oil-producing communities in the Niger Delta are increasingly turning to foreign courts to seek justice, citing corruption, political interference, and disregard for judgments within Nigeria’s judicial system.
Speaking in Port Harcourt at the public presentation of a report by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) on strategic litigation for social justice, human rights lawyer and former first Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association, John Martin Aikpokpo, said Nigeria’s courts have failed to protect vulnerable communities.
‘Nigeria risks lawlessness’
Aikpokpo warned that the refusal of government agencies to respect court judgments was gradually pushing the country toward anarchy.
“Unfortunately, even when the court gives judgments, our government agencies do not respect these judgments and that means we’re gradually moving towards anarchy. Once people get justice in the court there will be no need for them to protest or carry arms,”he said.
Oil companies and corruption
The legal expert accused Nigeria’s judicial system of being compromised, particularly when multinational oil companies are involved. He noted that cases often drag on for decades, with technicalities and corruption derailing justice.
“Communities take IOCs to court in Nigeria and they don’t get justice but get justice in courts abroad. So much money passes through the back. A lot of persons don’t get justice,”Aikpokpo lamented.
Foreign courts deliver swift justice
Aikpokpo contrasted Nigeria’s system with international courts, which he said are faster and more reliable. He cited the swift sentencing of Simon Ekpa in Finland as an example of how foreign systems uphold justice without compromise.
“Communities get justice abroad because the system there is not compromised, justice moves as smooth as possible. But here in Nigeria we are a compromised people,”he said.
Judicial appointments under political influence
The lawyer also faulted political interference in judicial appointments, warning that the judiciary cannot be reformed as long as politicians dictate who becomes a judge.
“For as long as politicians have a say on who to appoint as judges, the Nigerian judicial system will never be cleansed,”he argued.
Stakeholders warn of economic risks
Other stakeholders at the event cautioned that the increasing reliance on foreign courts undermines Nigeria’s judiciary and discourages investment in the oil and gas industry, as companies face unpredictable liabilities abroad.
