Farotimi Warns Against Hereditary Appointments In Nigeria’s Legal System

A lawyer and human rights activist, Dele Farotimi, has critiqued what he described as hereditary appointments within Nigeria’s legal system.

He expressed concerns over the growing trend of dynastic leadership in key judicial positions.

Farotimi, who served as the Spokesman of the Labour Party Presidential Campaign Council in 2023, also critiqued Nigeria’s political structure, arguing that it is not designed to serve the interests of the people but rather perpetuates the power of a select few.

He stated this when he appeared as a guest on the Toyin Falola Interviews, a series of discussions hosted by Professor Falola to amplify the voices of Africa and the African Diaspora.

LEADERSHIP reports that Farotimi was recently embroiled in a controversy regarding his comments against legal luminary Aare Afe Babalola in his book, ‘Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.’ The controversy landed him in prison.

In his analysis, he also critiques Nigeria’s governance system, describing it as inherently flawed and benefiting only those in power who resist reform attempts.

“When you see the list of new judges, you find children of retired justices and serving justices. Ariwola made his relatives judges.

‘You have a situation where the Nigerian legal system is gradually becoming hereditary offices.

That is the painful reality of Nigeria. When you ask if there is hope, yes, there is immense hope about the possibilities of Nigeria, but we must be honest enough about our situation to tell ourselves the truth.”

Farotimi lamented the nation’s state, noting that no sector genuinely works for the people.

He drew attention to how corruption and patronage are entrenched in Nigerian society, comparing it to a polluted well that contaminates everything it touches.

He also reflects on the political movement in Nigeria, emphasising the coalition of individuals affected by the system rather than a unified ideological front.

FRotimi further suggested that Nigeria’s struggles are exacerbated by global powers exploiting the country’s weaknesses and urging a change in leadership that focuses on the people’s collective interest.

“The governance system in Nigeria is not structured to benefit Nigerians. That is why it is impossible to point at any sector functioning for the benefit of the people.

“The only persons who are deriving benefits from the Nigerian situation as it is today are the ruins of Nigeria. They are the ones who also resist every opportunity and attempt to either change or correct because they benefit from things being the way they are. These are men and women across the length and breadth of Nigeria.

“They belong to every ethnicity, every religiosity, and they benefit from the putrefaction of Nigeria. That is why you find that when it is time for judicial appointments, their wives, their cronies, collaborators, those are the ones that are rewarded with judicial appointments.”