I will advance two propositions in this essay. The first is that we can never develop without an effective judiciary. This proposition is now universally accepted and warrants only passing remarks. The second proposition is that our judiciary is completely ineffective. The second proposition is more controversial but I hope to support it. I will also propose some ideas on how to make the judiciary more effective. It is now widely acknowledged that an effective judiciary is a sine qua non for enforcing substantive law. Citizens rely on the judiciary to protect property rights, enforce contracts, resolve electoral and chieftaincy disputes, and to protect fundamental liberties, such as freedom speech. Similarly, the State and accused persons, for different reasons, rely on the judiciary in criminal proceedings.