The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Ibadan branch, has decried inadequate funding of the judiciary and non-functionality of Rent Tribunals as well as Customary Courts in the state.
The Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Ibadan branch, has condemned the inadequate funding of the judiciary and non-functionality of Rent Tribunals as well as Customary Courts in the state.
Mr Ibrahim Lawal, Chairman of the Branch, stated this while welcoming executives from the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Oyo State Council, who paid a courtesy call to his office in Ibadan on Saturday.
Lawal, who regarded the state’s judiciary as unimpressive, stated that NBA executives have repeatedly asked Seyi Makinde to solve the difficulties affecting the state’s judiciary, particularly the lower courts.
He claimed that the governor had failed to inaugurate the Presidents of the Grace C Customay Courts in the previous seven years, despite the fact that these were the courts that provided justice to the people at the grassroots.
Lawal stated that the state’s Customary Courts and Rent Tribunal Courts were inoperable, and that economic development may not be possible unless the justice system is strengthened.
According to him, the Grace C Customary Courts were last in operation during the administration of late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, and the NBA will be pleased to see the state judicial sector execute its job efficiently.
“Some Magistrates in the state don’t have official vehicles. We have said this repeatedly and made several representations to the government to address it.
“It is unacceptable that a magistrate who sits in judgment over criminals has to board the same bus as those same individuals.
“It is equally troubling that a magistrate without a personal vehicle may have to accept a ride from someone who has a case before them.
“This compromises both dignity and independence.
“We use this opportunity to appeal to Gov. Seyi Makinde to urgently take action and address these challenges before leaving office.
“The condition of our courts is also deeply concerning, particularly the Magistrates’ and the state Customary Courts of Appeal.
“Many of them are in poor condition with no comfort for those working there.
“These judicial officers are our colleagues and deserve better treatment,” Lawal said.
The NBA chairman further stated that the Customary Court of Appeal’s electrical supply was recently interrupted by IBEDC due to unpaid electricity bills.
This, he claimed, demonstrated the extent of neglect inside the state judiciary.
Lawal went on to say that the situation at the State Ministry of Justice was equally alarming and did not meet the standards required of such an institution.
He stated that staff at the state Ministry of Justice occasionally appeal to certain individuals for basic assistance in running the ministry.
“For instance, the generator currently in use was donated by a private individual and the law library, once in a deplorable state, was refurbished through private intervention,” he said.
The chairman also stated that the level of neglect extended across various sections of the state judiciary.
According to him, the conditions of the courts outside Ibadan were even worse, with inadequate transportation allowances and reduced salaries for judicial workers.
He claimed that while Makinde had achieved well in other areas of the state, he had manifestly failed to promote reform of the state courts.
The chairman stated that the current court construction project at the state High Court Complex, Ring Road, Ibadan, remained incomplete.
Lawal further stated that the nomination of judges to the state courts had been hampered because basic provisions, such as official vehicles, were frequently delayed.
“The bar will continue to advocate for both the bench and the public. Our goal is to strengthen the justice system and uphold the rule of law.
“We will continue to speak out because judges themselves cannot. We remain committed to advocating for a better judiciary and will continue to speak out until meaningful reforms are achieved,” he said.
Lawal pledged the bar’s commitment to cooperate with the media on training to better equip journalists covering legal issues with an understanding of court processes and terminology.
Earlier, Mr Yinka Adeniran, Chairman of the NUJ’s Correspondents’ Chapel, requested the NBA’s aid in educating members to better their expertise of reporting court proceedings.
