There is growing concern over how the Nigerian judiciary may be contributing to the country’s economic and governance challenges. Many observers believe that some influential people are using the court system to escape justice after committing serious financial crimes that affect the economy.
One of the key government agencies affected by this issue is the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC). The agency recently raised the alarm about how some wealthy Nigerians and politicians borrow large amounts from banks and refuse to pay back. In many cases, when NDIC tries to recover these loans, the defaulters run to court to block any action.
The managing director of NDIC, Bello Hassan, explained that if these borrowers had repaid their loans, many banks would not have collapsed. He noted that the courts have been used to delay justice, with some individuals getting injunctions to stop the NDIC from taking action. He also said that the money lost in failed banks belongs to ordinary Nigerians who deposited their hard-earned money.
“You borrow from a bank, you have the means to repay, but you don’t want to pay. If all the borrowers pay what they owe, we will settle all depositors and creditors of Heritage Bank immediately,” Hassan said.
The NDIC boss said they are working with the judiciary to ensure faster hearing of cases but urged the courts to avoid helping people who deliberately avoid repaying loans. He said people hiding behind legal delays are frustrating the corporation’s efforts and causing hardship for depositors.
While many state governors complain of not having enough money to run their states, some others are using available resources to improve the lives of their people. A good example is Abia State, where Governor Alex Otti has been praised for transforming Aba, the commercial hub of the state.
Until recently, Aba was known for its poor roads, flood problems, and waste everywhere. But according to residents and business owners, the situation has changed under Otti. Roads have been fixed, especially the long-abandoned Port Harcourt Road, and the city is becoming livable again. Businesses are returning, and house rents are rising due to higher demand.
A former chairman of the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) in the Imo/Abia region, Rommy Nwabueze Anyanwu, said Aba is now attracting investors and residents again. “Before, people were paying N10,000 for two-bedroom flats. Now, it’s as high as N120,000. This is market force at work. Aba is back,” he said.
Also, John Udeagbala, former president of the Nigerian Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), praised Governor Otti for his work, especially on Port Harcourt Road, calling it a project that has brought back life to the city.
The security situation has also improved. In 2023, Governor Otti shut down the Lokpanta cattle market after over 70 decomposing bodies were found in the area. Today, residents say peace has returned.
In Enugu State, Governor Peter Mbah is being described as a leader in a hurry. Residents say his government has delivered several projects across the state in less than two years. These include the Enugu Smart City project, a new hospital, modern schools, roads, and even a transport hub.
His aide, Joshua Ejeh, said the projects are not “audio” or fake promises but real and visible. “From Independence Layout to every ward in the state, people can see what we are doing,” he said.
The state government has also developed a proper farmers’ database. According to the Commissioner for Agriculture, Patrick Ubru, over 67,000 farmers have been registered and now receive support directly from the state. They no longer need to know a politician to benefit from government help.
With such progress, many are asking why some states are still struggling. The answer, according to observers, lies in leadership quality and proper use of funds.
