The Judiciary and The Rule of Law

Abstract

In order to safeguard the rights of the citizenry; promote accountability, transparency and other essential virtues of a decent and just society; it is necessary to promote, strengthen and protect the integrity of our judicial system as well as the integrity of the individual adjudicator that is charged with the onerous responsibility of the dispensation of justice. A judiciary of undisputed integrity is the bedrock institution essential for ensuring compliance with democracy and the rule of law. Even when all other protections fail, it provides a bulwark to the public against any encroachments on rights and freedoms under the law. These observations apply both domestically- in the context of each nation State - and globally, viewing the global judiciary as one great bastion of the rule of law throughout the world. Ensuring the integrity of the global judiciary is thus a task to which much energy, skill and experience must be devoted. This paper discusses the principles of the rule of law as well as its extant application in Nigeria. Furthermore, the paper highlights the role of the judiciary in upholding the rule of law in furtherance of maintaining law and order in the society. The doctrinal method of legal research methodology was applied in conducting the research writing for this paper and findings were deduced. In the findings of this research paper, observations were made as to the non-chalant attitude of the Federal and state governments in disobeying court rulings and judgments as well as flagrant abuse of court orders by federal and state agencies. The paper further makes recommendations on the need to strengthen the rule of law in Nigeria with a view to promoting sanctity in our relatively young democracy.