ABSTRACT

The fact that the judiciary remains the bastion of hope not just for the common man but also for the high and mighty in a society, makes judicial independence very crucial.  Hence, judicial independence is said to be fundamental to democracy but sad to say, it seems it is only lip-service that is being paid to this crucial concept in most countries; our country Nigeria is not an exception of this fact situation, otherwise how would anybody explain the disillusionment and utter lack of confidence by greater percentage of the populace in the judiciary, considering it a feeble weak arm of government, corrupt and inefficient.  To some, the judiciary is a shadow of itself, adept at protecting others, inept of protecting itself. These remarks derived from observations of the alleged or actual behaviours of some judges themselves and their independence, impartiality and integrity when adjudged by the citizens. Again, the treatment meted on to this important arm of government by the executive arm of government is a cause for worry.  It therefore, raised curiosity and concern as to why any judicial system should be seen in the above light and the extent to which the above issues are justiceable. It calls for urgent examination of whether the independence of the Nigeria judicial system is guaranteed and practicable, and whether it remains a reechoed concept.  Also, to ascertain whether the lofty constitutional provisions with regards to judicial independence has any substance or whether what could have been a constitutional guarantee of judicial emancipation remains only as a  sermon in Nigeria, as such awaiting reforms shall make it justiceable.