Justice is one of the attributes of Yahweh. Judges were appointed in ancient Israel by Yahweh for the Israelites to live in peace and harmony with one another. However, it was observed that the Judges in ancient Israel did not live to expectation. Leviticus 19: 15 was chosen as a text of investigation to determine the response of Yahweh to the Judges and its implications for Judges in Nigerian democratic Context. Historical and Phenomenological methods were used for the research. It was discovered that one of the organs that is expected to play crucial roles in governance is the judiciary. The study revealed that Judges and leaders in ancient Israel failed Yahweh. Also, since the inception of Democracy in Nigeria, the Judiciary has played and is playing important roles to protect the system. One of the major roles of the Judiciary is justice and equity for all and sundry in all election petitions, disputes in political parties, removal and reinstatement of elected officer. It was observed that some members of the judiciary are not living to the expectation of the law and the people. Some of them compromise justice for pecuniary gains. Some Nigerians opined that Judiciary has been compromised and as such cannot be trusted in the events of manipulations of electoral process or results by the politicians and the electoral body that has the responsibility of conducting elections. In view of this, many Nigerians no longer have trust in the Judiciary and this has brought the vocation in to disrepute.

Judiciary, Democracy, Yahweh, Justice, Equity & Nigeria

Abdullah et al “Recall of Judges Lawyers back NJC as Sagay kicks, June 5th, 2017, Available at htttp://www.vanguard.com/2017/06/recall-judges-lawyers-back-njc-sagay-kicks/ accessed on 31 January,2023.

Abdullahi, I ‘Independence of the judiciary in Nigeria: A myth or Reality?’ (2014) International Journal of Public Administration and Management Research, 56.

Adeleke, F. A. R (et al), The Role of the Judiciary in Combating Corruption, Aiding and Inhibiting Factors in Nigeria in IA Abdulaodir (et al) Corruption and National Development op cit, 299.

Adeyemi, A. A. ‘Economic Crime in a Developing Society’, A paper Delivered in a conference of Attorney Generals held in Abuja, 11th -13rd October 1988, 19.

Ajayi A. T. and E O Ojo, ‘Democracy in Nigeria: Practice, problems and prospects’, (2014)4 Developing Country Studies p. 108.

Akinotu, Eniotu, E. “Girls in Detention for Four Years over Phone theft” The Punch, Monday April 16, 2012.

Akinseye- George, Y. Legal system, corruption and Governance in Nigeria (1st edn, Lagos: New Century Publishers Ltd, 2000), 9.

Alaya, O ‘The role of the Judiciary in Sustaining Democracy in Nigeria’ Available http:llolayinka/aya. blospoti.com.ng/2013/05-the-role-of-judiciary-hyml accessed on the 3rd October 2016, 12:26am.

Amucheazi, O. D. and Chudi Onwuasanya, ‘The Judiciary, politics and constitutional democracy

Barker, K.L. & Kohlenberger III, J. R. (1994) The Expositor’s Bible Commentary (Abridged Edition) Old Testament. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House.

in Nigeria’ op cit ,121.

Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), section 6.

Deihim, A. R. ‘Current Development, African Campaign Against Corruption’ (2003) Indian Journal of International Law, 42.

Doig, A. ‘The corruption of British Politics and Public Service’ (1996) Journal of Law and Society, 36-56.

Electoral Act, 2006.

Enaruna, E and EO Fenemigho, ‘The judiciary as an organ of Government’, (2014) International Multidisciplinary Journal, Ethiopia, , 93.

Garner, B. A. The Black’s Law Dictionary (West Group, St Paul Minn, 2009) , 294.

Gbolagunte, O. ‘An Independent Judicial System in Nigeria: The Challenges’, Availed at http://www.linkedin.com.html accessed on the 5th January 2023, 5:38am.

Gbolagunte, O. ‘An independent Judicial, System in Nigeria: The Challenges’ Available at http://www.linkedin.com accessed 4th October 2016 1:40am

Hornby, A. S. Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English (8th edn, Oxford, Oxford University Press, 2010) , 328.

Itua, P. O. et al, ‘The Nigerian Police and the Fight against Corruption: An Assessment of Government Polices’, in I Abdulqadir (ed) et al., Corruption and National Development op cit pp. 55-56.

Lipset, S. M. and as Lenz ‘Corruption, Culture and markets’ in LE Harrison and SP Huntington (eds) Culture matters; How values shape Human progress, (New York Basic Books, 2000), 112.

Maduagwu, R. O. ‘The judiciary and Nigerian Democracy’, A paper presented by Rt Hon. Barr (Mrs.) Rita Obianamma Maduagwu, Speaker Anambra State House of Assembly at the 5th Annual Chief Judge’s Dinner 12:06pm. On 19th day of March, 2016, at Finotel Hotel Awka, Anambra State, 4-5.

Martins, ‘What is the Meaning of Judiciary,’ Available at http://wwwmartinlibrary.blogspot .coming/ 2013/01/ whatis-meaning-of-judiciary.htm accessed on 5th October 2016

Malemi, E. Administrative Law, (Ikeja: Princeton Publishing Co Ltd, 1999) , 290.

Malemi, E. The Nigerian Constitutional Law (Ikeja Lagos: Princeton Publishing Co Ltd 2006) , 265.

“Nigeria” in Microsoft Encarta Encyclopedia 2004 (Electronic Version)

Oluwadayisi, A.O. ‘The Role of the Judiciary in the application of peace building theory and methods to Election Dispute Resolution in Nigeria’, (2016) 45 Journal of Law, Policy and Globalization, p. 138.

Randall, P. ‘Judicial Independence in China: Common myths and unfounded Assumptions’ (2008) La Trobe law School Legal Studies Research paper, 3.

Umar, F. A. ‘The Role of the bar and Benchi in the sustenance of Democracy, in contemporary issues in Nigeria Law’, legal Essay in Hon. Justice Umaru Faruke Abdullahi CON 2006, 85 & 89.

Onuoha v Okafor (1983)4 NSCC494.

Osakwe v INEC & 4 Ors (2005)13 NWLR (pt. 942)442 CA; Adebusuji v Oduyoye (2004)1 NWLR (pt. 854) 406CA, Abana v Obi (2004)10 NWLR (pt 881) , 319 CA, Jang v INEC (2004)12 NWLR (pt. 886) , 46 CA .

Attorney – General of Federation v Abubakar (2007)6 MJSCI, 33.

Abaribe v Speaker, Abia State House of Assembly (2002)14 NWLR (pt. 788) 466.

AG; Cross River State v AG-; Akwa Ibom, ( ); AG-; Imo State v AG-; River State (1982) NSCC vol 13, 567.

AG-; Federation v Ag-; Bendel State (1982) All NLR; AG-; Abia State v AG-; Federation (2002) FWLR (pt. 102). 1; AG-; Abia State v AG-; Federation (2005)12 NWLR (pt. 940), 452.

AG-; Plateau State v Goyol (2007)16 NWLR (pt. 1059),57.

Amaechi v INEC (2007)9 NWLR (pt. 1040) 504, Ararume v Ugwu (2007)12 NWLR (pt. 1048) , 367.

Abaribe v Speaker Supra, Ekpo v Calabar Local Government Council (1993)3 NWLR (pt. 281) 324; Jimo v Olawoye (2003)10 NWLR

Speaking at a two-day workshop titled “National Dialogue on Corruption arranged by the office of the Vice President in association with the Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption (PACAC) - cited in Levi Obijio for “Corruption in The Judiciary, Fact or Fiction?’ (February 6, 2023) Available at sunnewsonline.com/corruption-in-the-judiciary-facts-or-fiction accessed on 31 August, 2017. Held in Abuja on Monday 5th December 2005, cited in Levi Obijiofor op. cit.

[2008]6 NWLR (pt 1083) 418 at pp. 451-52; Martins v Nicanna Food Co. Ltd & Anor (1988)2 NWLR (pt 74)75; Re Diamond Bank Ltd (2002)17 NWLR (pt 795, 120 at 134.

VanGemeren, W.A. (1997) ed. New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology & Exegesis Volume 1 – 5. Grand Rapids: Zondervan Publishing House