The Pathology of Judicialization: Politics, Corruption and the Courts in Nigeria
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Basil Ugochukwu
Judicialization of politics, the practice whereby judicial power is expanded well beyond adjudication in purely orthodox terms to embrace the core of politics and governmental policy is becoming a global phenomenon. In this paper, I argue that despite its growing popularity and acceptability, the process of political judicialization should be contextually detailed. Using Nigeria as an example, I assert that, although there might be justification for judicial intervention in the countries of Africa, the prevalence of corruption in the judiciaries makes such intervention a double-edged sword, deserving adroit handling. I also argue that the judicialization of politics on the continent is fuel for corruption. As such, removing political questions from the courts, difficult as this might be, could be an important anti-corruption strategy.
©2012 Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG, Berlin/Boston
Articles in the same Issue
- Article
- Introduction
- The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Accountability of Corrupt Foreign Actors in Nigeria
- Corruption and Political Culture in Africa: History, Meaning, and the Problem of Naming
- The Pathology of Judicialization: Politics, Corruption and the Courts in Nigeria
- International Investment Arbitration and Corruption Claims: An Analysis of World Duty Free v. Kenya
- Canada's AntiForeign Bribery Regime Requires a Balancing Act
- Kenya's Long Anti-Corruption Agenda--1952-2010: Prospects and Challenges of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission under the 2010 Constitution
- When Law Fails: A Theory of Self-Enforcing Anti-Corruption Legislation in Africa
- Combating the Bribery of Foreign Public Officials: The Impact of the UK Bribery Act 2010
- The Oil Industry and Africa: The Expanding Reach of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
Articles in the same Issue
- Article
- Introduction
- The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Accountability of Corrupt Foreign Actors in Nigeria
- Corruption and Political Culture in Africa: History, Meaning, and the Problem of Naming
- The Pathology of Judicialization: Politics, Corruption and the Courts in Nigeria
- International Investment Arbitration and Corruption Claims: An Analysis of World Duty Free v. Kenya
- Canada's AntiForeign Bribery Regime Requires a Balancing Act
- Kenya's Long Anti-Corruption Agenda--1952-2010: Prospects and Challenges of the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission under the 2010 Constitution
- When Law Fails: A Theory of Self-Enforcing Anti-Corruption Legislation in Africa
- Combating the Bribery of Foreign Public Officials: The Impact of the UK Bribery Act 2010
- The Oil Industry and Africa: The Expanding Reach of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act
