Corruption in Nigeria's judiciary could spark another mass protest - OOU don
Deputy Vice Chancellor for Administration of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Charles Adekoya has warned that corruption in the administration of justice in Nigeria and failure to protect rights of the poor could lead to another mass protest similar to the 2020 EndSARS protest.
The ENDSARS protest was a youth uprising against police brutality that spread across the country like wildfire in 2020, recording the large-scale destruction of private and public property.
The don gave the warning while delivering the 103rd Inaugural Lecture of the OOU at the Otunba Gbenga Daniel Lecture Theatre, Main Campus, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.
Mr. Adekoya, who is a law professor, called for a reform of the national judicial system to make court proceedings simple, quick and inexpensive.
He also called for increased funding for legal aid for the poor.
The conference, titled "Betrayal of the Poor in Access to Justice in Nigeria: The Judas Among Us", was chaired by the university's Vice-Chancellor, Ayodeji Agboola.
Mr. Adekoya, who lamented the difficulties of access to justice in Nigeria, said branches of the Supreme Court should be established in the six geopolitical zones of the country to ease the workload of the Supreme Court and bring it closer to the people. .< /p>
The keynote speaker also called for the removal of the Court of Appeals to reduce the layers of courts to traverse in the search for justice.
The don noted that while the problem of lack of access to justice for the poor is not unique to Nigeria, the huge gap in the country is of great concern and should be addressed by relevant stakeholders.
"It seems that we have lost empathy for the poor and left them to their fate by our nonchalance in the face of abuse and debasement of their rights, but the question is: can we bear the forceful and aggressive voice of the poor if raised? against society when they break away from a prolonged gag?
Charles Adekoya, presenting a copy of his lecture to OOU Vice-Chancellor Ayodeji Agboola."Let us remember what happened during the EndSARS protest in October 2020 when, among other acts of violence, some court premises were breached and courtrooms set on fire with files, robes of judges and stolen wigs! This was a total desecration of the sacred temples of justice! which no one would have ever imagined could happen.
“The cost of a forced voice on government, elites, the political class and society at large could be too huge and expensive to bear. It is an early warning that the hell out of a loud voice has the vitality to consume us or threaten the very fabric of society. This is the inevitable end if the status quo continues,” Mr. Adekoya said.
The...
Deputy Vice Chancellor for Administration of Olabisi Onabanjo University (OOU), Ago-Iwoye, Charles Adekoya has warned that corruption in the administration of justice in Nigeria and failure to protect rights of the poor could lead to another mass protest similar to the 2020 EndSARS protest.
The ENDSARS protest was a youth uprising against police brutality that spread across the country like wildfire in 2020, recording the large-scale destruction of private and public property.
The don gave the warning while delivering the 103rd Inaugural Lecture of the OOU at the Otunba Gbenga Daniel Lecture Theatre, Main Campus, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State.
Mr. Adekoya, who is a law professor, called for a reform of the national judicial system to make court proceedings simple, quick and inexpensive.
He also called for increased funding for legal aid for the poor.
The conference, titled "Betrayal of the Poor in Access to Justice in Nigeria: The Judas Among Us", was chaired by the university's Vice-Chancellor, Ayodeji Agboola.
Mr. Adekoya, who lamented the difficulties of access to justice in Nigeria, said branches of the Supreme Court should be established in the six geopolitical zones of the country to ease the workload of the Supreme Court and bring it closer to the people. .< /p>
The keynote speaker also called for the removal of the Court of Appeals to reduce the layers of courts to traverse in the search for justice.
The don noted that while the problem of lack of access to justice for the poor is not unique to Nigeria, the huge gap in the country is of great concern and should be addressed by relevant stakeholders.
"It seems that we have lost empathy for the poor and left them to their fate by our nonchalance in the face of abuse and debasement of their rights, but the question is: can we bear the forceful and aggressive voice of the poor if raised? against society when they break away from a prolonged gag?
Charles Adekoya, presenting a copy of his lecture to OOU Vice-Chancellor Ayodeji Agboola."Let us remember what happened during the EndSARS protest in October 2020 when, among other acts of violence, some court premises were breached and courtrooms set on fire with files, robes of judges and stolen wigs! This was a total desecration of the sacred temples of justice! which no one would have ever imagined could happen.
“The cost of a forced voice on government, elites, the political class and society at large could be too huge and expensive to bear. It is an early warning that the hell out of a loud voice has the vitality to consume us or threaten the very fabric of society. This is the inevitable end if the status quo continues,” Mr. Adekoya said.
The...
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