The Judicial System must be independent if it is to effectively play the role of an arbiter and ensure that the rule of law prevails.

Justice Mustapha Akanbi pioneer Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) who made this assertion while speaking with newsmen in Ilorin said judges must not allow themselves to be influenced but be honest to their judicial oath.

According to him, the judiciary has a key role to play in the fight against corruption because judiciary holds a central place in the realization of an open, honest and accountable government.
“There is no doubt that there are good judges, but there also bad judges who have been giving the judiciary a bad name. This should not be so.

“The Nigeria judiciary used to be the pride of this nation and the reservoir from which other countries on the continent draw inspiration in judicial and juridical activisms, integrity and probity.

“The task of fighting corruption and of developing the nation is the responsibility of all Nigerians, but the greater burden lies on the nation’s leadership,” He said.

Justice Mustapha who however commended the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtah for taken the bull by the horns in the fight against corrupt judges in the country, stressed that no anti-corruption war can succeed if the judiciary itself is corrupt.