Former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has called for a thorough reform of Nigeria’s legal and judicial system, criticizing courts for prioritizing procedural technicalities over the delivery of substantive justice.
Osinbajo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Professor of Law, made the remarks on Thursday in Ilorin, Kwara State, during the second Professor Yusuf Ali Annual Lecture organized by Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete.
He argued that the main purpose of any justice system is to serve the people and uphold fairness, rather than celebrate procedural rigidity or exploit technical loopholes.
“The essence of justice lies in its substance, not its form. Sadly, many court decisions, including some by the Supreme Court, focus more on procedure than on the core issues of justice,” Osinbajo stated.
Referencing other jurisdictions, he noted that even English courts, from which Nigeria inherited its legal system, have moved beyond rigid proceduralism by allowing amendments at any stage to ensure justice is served.
He warned that Nigeria’s emphasis on outdated technicalities hinders justice delivery and diminishes public confidence in the judiciary.
“In light of this, I urge legal practitioners, academics, and policymakers to adopt critical and decolonized approaches to reform legal education, practice, and the overall administration of justice,” he said.
While acknowledging that the Supreme Court has sometimes taken a flexible approach, particularly in electoral matters, Osinbajo said inconsistent application of such principles remains a major challenge.
“It is crucial to recognize that a justice system which prioritizes form over substance risks losing both relevance and moral authority,” he added.
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