Chidi Odinkalu, the former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), expressed concern that the Nigerian judiciary can no longer be considered the hope of the common man. The human rights activist highlighted that the decay in the judiciary, which has now reached the Supreme Court, is a serious issue.

Odinkalu emphasized the severity of corruption within the judiciary, referencing a recent speech by retired Justice Dattijo Muhammad. He stated, "If corruption has gotten up to the Supreme Court, you have to acknowledge that if you have a Judiciary in which Judges of the Supreme Court are saying that the Supreme Court itself is a problem, then you have a credible problem. It can no longer be described as the last hope of the common man."

According to Odinkalu, the remarks made by retired Justice Dattijo Muhammad reflect a documented trend spanning the last two decades, indicating a systemic issue within the judiciary.

He asserted that there are capable and honorable individuals who can serve on the bench, and they are not limited to the relatives and associates of judges and politicians. Odinkalu expressed concern about the influence of politicians in judicial appointments, citing instances where political figures attempt to secure judicial positions for their family members.

He concluded, "People who are decent, successful, and intelligent no longer have an opportunity to be considered; if they don’t have people from their political class making the appointments, that is the problem.”