Trump Govt Vows to Sanction Corrupt Judiciary Officials in Nigeria and Beyond
Ademola Busayo 
Former U.S. President Donald Trump addresses a member of the news media after attending a border security briefing with Texas Governor Greg Abbott to discuss security at the U.S. southern border with Mexico in Weslaco, Texas, U.S. June 30, 2021.
After sanctioning Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes for alleged abuse of power, U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration has issued a stern warning to corrupt judges in Nigeria and other countries, threatening similar punitive actions.
On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that Justice Moraes was sanctioned under the Global Magnitsky Act for serious human rights abuses, including arbitrary detentions and violations of free speech.
“@POTUS and @USTreasury have sanctioned Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes under the Global Magnitsky sanctions program for serious human rights abuses,” Rubio posted X.
In a clear message to judicial officials worldwide, Rubio added, “Let this be a warning to those who would trample on the fundamental rights of their countrymen—judicial robes cannot protect you.”
The Global Magnitsky sanctions involve financial restrictions and travel bans targeting individuals found guilty of gross human rights violations. The law is named after Sergei Magnitsky, a Russian lawyer who exposed corruption, was imprisoned, and died under suspicious circumstances in 2009.
The U.S. Department of State stated that Moraes used his position to suppress political dissent by secretly ordering social media companies to ban certain users and authorising arbitrary pre-trial detentions—actions deemed violations of fundamental freedoms.
According to the statement, Moraes’ conduct amounted to a politically motivated campaign to silence critics, undermining judicial impartiality and freedom of expression.
The Trump administration, through Executive Order 13818, reaffirmed its readiness to apply the Global Magnitsky sanctions framework to judges and officials globally, including in Nigeria, found guilty of similar abuses.
About the Author
Ayo Marvel 
Emmanuel Femi Adedayo 
