Soyinka Says He Will Die a Happy Man If Government Agencies Obey Court Judgments

Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka has called on Nigeria’s Public Complaints Commission (PCC) to address the persistent problem of government agencies refusing or delaying compliance with court judgments, saying he would die a happy man if the commission could find a lasting solution.

Soyinka made the statement on Thursday while delivering a goodwill message at the inaugural Nigerian Ombudsman Annual Conference in Abuja. The conference focused on how stronger institutions and compliance with the law can improve governance and protect citizens’ rights.

The renowned writer expressed concern over the lengthy delays some Nigerians experience even after courts have delivered judgments in their favour. According to him, some people spend years fighting for justice but eventually die without enjoying the benefits of the court decisions they struggled to obtain.

He questioned why government agencies and other public institutions continue to ignore judgments delivered by competent courts. Soyinka argued that justice should not end when judges announce their decisions; the relevant authorities must also ensure that those judgments are implemented.

“If you can solve that for me, believe me, I will die happy,” Soyinka said, referring to the need to close the gap between delivering justice and enforcing court decisions.

The literary icon cited cases in which citizens waited for years for government agencies to comply with court orders, including directives to return confiscated passports. He described such delays as “medicine after death”, warning that justice loses its purpose when people who win their cases cannot benefit from the judgments.

Soyinka challenged the Public Complaints Commission to make the enforcement of court decisions one of its major priorities, arguing that effective implementation would help restore public confidence in Nigeria’s justice system.

The Emir of Lafia, Sidi Bage Muhammad I, also addressed the issue at the conference. The retired Supreme Court justice attributed the problem to indiscipline and poor leadership, arguing that public officials should not need repeated reminders before obeying court orders. He stressed that leaders must set an example by respecting judicial decisions.

PCC Chief Commissioner Bashir Abubakar disclosed that the commission received 1,281,984 complaints over the previous two years and resolved 716,688 of them. The figures highlight the volume of grievances brought before the commission and the continuing need to strengthen administrative accountability.

Soyinka’s intervention has renewed attention on the importance of enforcing court judgments in Nigeria. For citizens who spend years pursuing justice, a favourable ruling means little if the institutions responsible for implementing it refuse to act. His message was clear: justice must not only be delivered by the courts; citizens must also be able to enjoy its benefits.