Kukah: Fight against insecurity doubtful without rule of law

The Bishop of the Sokoto Catholic Diocese and founder of the Kukah Centre, Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah, said without a firm commitment to the rule of law and justice, Nigeria’s efforts to overcome insecurity will remain doubtful. He said the failure of institutions to uphold justice only deepens insecurity, making it essential for […]

The Bishop of the Sokoto Catholic Diocese and founder of the Kukah Centre, Most Rev. Dr. Matthew Hassan Kukah, said without a firm commitment to the rule of law and justice, Nigeria’s efforts to overcome insecurity will remain doubtful.

He said the failure of institutions to uphold justice only deepens insecurity, making it essential for the country to strictly adhere to the rule of law to find its footing.

Speaking on Saturday in Jos, Plateau State, during the official commissioning of the House of Justice office, Bishop Kukah noted that victims of mass attacks and killings-such as those in Benue, Plateau, and other states-are often neglected in the pursuit of justice.

“It is essential for a country like ours to respect the rule of law. Failure to address injustice only leads to greater insecurity. When mass atrocities occur, no one considers the long-lasting impacts on the victims and communities; our focus is often on the perpetrators. The rule of law must be upheld,” he said.

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Kukah said having laws is not enough if they are not actively pursued and enforced.

“Justice is not something that will be handed to you as a gift. Courts alone cannot deliver justice unless someone approaches them,” he said.

He therefore urged Nigerians to seek justice whenever necessary, instead of withdrawing due to the perception that the system is too corrupt to deliver fairness.

The CEO of the House of Justice, Gloria Mabeiam Esq., said Nigeria has accumulated a significant “justice debt”-a backlog of unresolved grievances and unfulfilled promises.