Hon. Tagbo Anieto and the Justice Debate: ‘Justice Not for Sale’ — Hon. Okwudili Okadigbo

By Cynthia Onwudiwe

The integrity of Nigeria’s judicial system has once again come under public scrutiny following two rapid and consequential rulings delivered by Hon. Justice Tagbo Anieto of the Anambra State High Court, Otuocha. The decisions, handed down within 24 hours of each other, emerged at a time when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has publicly cautioned judges and Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) to uphold professional ethics and resist corruption, emphasising that “justice is not for sale.” His remarks set the tone for intensifying national attention on judicial conduct.

The first case, Suit No. OT/169/2021 delivered on July 24, 2025, centred on the legitimacy of a contract executed by an EXCO previously invalidated by court decisions. Justice Anieto ruled that the 1st Defendant lacked the legal capacity to enter the agreement, declaring that the plaintiff’s claims “hang on nothing at all” because the foundational document relied upon—Exhibit K2—was unenforceable. The decision immediately stirred debate, particularly among legal observers who questioned the implications for past and pending contractual disputes tied to contested leadership structures.

Public discussions deepened the following day when Justice Anieto issued another firm judgment in Suit No. OT/184/2022. In this ruling, he dismissed Exhibit J, a 2015 land document, as a “rogue document,” insisting that its purported signatory, Barr. William Enwelum, had no legitimate authority at the time of execution. He further described the defendants’ root of title as fraudulent and labelled the 2nd Defendant a “dubious land grabber.” The court ruled entirely in favour of the plaintiffs and awarded significant costs against the defendants.

These consecutive rulings—characterised by strong judicial language, implications for land ownership, and their close timing—have ignited vigorous debate over consistency, transparency, and public confidence in the courts. While Justice Anieto anchored his decisions on existing legal precedents, critics argue that the tone and speed warrant closer scrutiny. As Hon. Okwudili Okadigbo and other public figures echo President Tinubu’s call for a justice system free from undue influence, citizens continue to watch keenly. The demand for fairness, accountability, and trust in Nigeria’s judiciary remains louder than ever.