The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammadu Sa’ad Abubakar, has voiced serious concern that Nigeria’s justice system is tilting in favour of the wealthy while leaving the poor to suffer, News360 Nigeria reports.

Speaking on Sunday in Enugu at the Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Sultan warned that corruption and inequality are weakening the courts.

“Justice is increasingly becoming a purchasable commodity, and the poor are becoming victims, while the rich commit all manner of crime and walk the streets scot-free,” he said.

He cautioned that such imbalance fuels anger, mistrust, and potential violence, stressing that once public confidence in the judiciary collapses, people may resort to self-help.

The Sultan urged lawyers to place truth and fairness above personal or financial interest. “It is only when the legal profession leads by example that the public can trust the system again,” he added.

Analysts note that a justice system skewed towards the rich not only encourages crime but also discourages investment and weakens democracy.

Civil society groups have also repeatedly reported that Nigerian prisons remain overcrowded, largely filled with people awaiting trial who cannot afford legal aid or bail.

The Sultan’s warning echoes long-standing concerns about corruption and inequality in the justice sector and adds weight to calls for urgent reforms, including transparent court processes, expanded access to legal assistance, and stronger oversight of judicial practices.