Wahala Don Set for Judiciary! ‘Mr Justice Steppin’ Razor’ Drama Sparks Outrage Over Judges, Bribes and Malami Case
Wahala don set for Nigeria judiciary as a fiery opinion by human rights lawyer Chidi Anselm Odinkalu don scatter the internet, exposing what many now call the rise of “Mr Justice Steppin’ Razor” inside Nigerian courts.
The article, inspired by legendary reggae singer Peter Tosh’s song Steppin’ Razor, takes aim at judges who, instead of quietly doing their jobs, now mount the courtroom like a stage—boasting, threatening and performing toughness while serious allegations of bribery and influence quietly pass without action.
According to Odinkalu, some judges in Nigeria are beginning to see themselves as untouchable strongmen—“dangerous judges”—who talk tough but refuse to use the powers the law has already given them to deal with corruption.
The writer recalled how in August 2023, a senior judge, Justice Flora Azinge, publicly complained in court that lawyers had allegedly tried to bribe her with ₦10 million. Rather than naming the culprit, reporting the matter or punishing the offenders, she reportedly chose to issue public warnings and threats—without taking concrete action.
Fast forward to this past week, and history appears to be repeating itself.
At the Federal High Court in Abuja, Justice Polycarp Nwite, while ruling on the bail application of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, his wife and son over money laundering and corruption charges, reportedly declared himself “dangerous.” He warned lawyers not to approach him or attempt to influence his decisions, insisting that any such move would be “vehemently resisted.”
But Odinkalu no gree.
According to him, this kind of courtroom performance is nothing but noise if the judge refuses to take the legal steps available to him. Under Nigerian law and international judicial standards, judges are expected to be independent, impartial and firm. Any attempt to influence a judge is a crime—and there are clear options: report to the police, punish for contempt, refer lawyers for disciplinary action, or openly name and shame the offenders.
Instead, the author says, some judges prefer drama to discipline.
“This kind of talk without action,” Odinkalu argues, “does more harm than good. It makes the judiciary look weak, compromised and unserious.” In his words, a judge who complains about being approached but refuses to identify or sanction the culprits is not defending justice—he is advertising that he can be tested again.
In the Malami case, the judge neither named the lawyers allegedly trying to influence him nor recused himself from the matter. To Odinkalu, that is a serious failure of judicial responsibility.
For many Nigerians already frustrated with corruption, selective justice and political interference in the courts, this write-up only confirms their worst fears: say judges dey shout ‘I be dangerous’, but when e reach time to act, everywhere just go silent.
As reactions continue online, one thing is clear—this is not just about one judge or one court case. It is about the credibility of Nigeria’s justice system itself.
And as Nigerians would say:
If judges dey fear to act, who go protect justice? Wahala don really set for this country judiciary.
Wahala Don Set for Judiciary! ‘Mr Justice Steppin’ Razor’ Drama Sparks Outrage Over Judges, Bribes and Malami Case
Wahala don set for Nigeria judiciary as a fiery opinion by human rights lawyer Chidi Anselm Odinkalu don scatter the internet, exposing what many now call the rise of “Mr Justice Steppin’ Razor” inside Nigerian courts.
The article, inspired by legendary reggae singer Peter Tosh’s song Steppin’ Razor, takes aim at judges who, instead of quietly doing their jobs, now mount the courtroom like a stage—boasting, threatening and performing toughness while serious allegations of bribery and influence quietly pass without action.
According to Odinkalu, some judges in Nigeria are beginning to see themselves as untouchable strongmen—“dangerous judges”—who talk tough but refuse to use the powers the law has already given them to deal with corruption.
The writer recalled how in August 2023, a senior judge, Justice Flora Azinge, publicly complained in court that lawyers had allegedly tried to bribe her with ₦10 million. Rather than naming the culprit, reporting the matter or punishing the offenders, she reportedly chose to issue public warnings and threats—without taking concrete action.
Fast forward to this past week, and history appears to be repeating itself.
At the Federal High Court in Abuja, Justice Polycarp Nwite, while ruling on the bail application of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, his wife and son over money laundering and corruption charges, reportedly declared himself “dangerous.” He warned lawyers not to approach him or attempt to influence his decisions, insisting that any such move would be “vehemently resisted.”
But Odinkalu no gree.
According to him, this kind of courtroom performance is nothing but noise if the judge refuses to take the legal steps available to him. Under Nigerian law and international judicial standards, judges are expected to be independent, impartial and firm. Any attempt to influence a judge is a crime—and there are clear options: report to the police, punish for contempt, refer lawyers for disciplinary action, or openly name and shame the offenders.
Instead, the author says, some judges prefer drama to discipline.
“This kind of talk without action,” Odinkalu argues, “does more harm than good. It makes the judiciary look weak, compromised and unserious.” In his words, a judge who complains about being approached but refuses to identify or sanction the culprits is not defending justice—he is advertising that he can be tested again.
In the Malami case, the judge neither named the lawyers allegedly trying to influence him nor recused himself from the matter. To Odinkalu, that is a serious failure of judicial responsibility.
For many Nigerians already frustrated with corruption, selective justice and political interference in the courts, this write-up only confirms their worst fears: say judges dey shout ‘I be dangerous’, but when e reach time to act, everywhere just go silent.
As reactions continue online, one thing is clear—this is not just about one judge or one court case. It is about the credibility of Nigeria’s justice system itself.
And as Nigerians would say:
If judges dey fear to act, who go protect justice? Wahala don really set for this country judiciary.
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