Bar And Bench Must Save Judiciary From Prejudice,’ Body Of Benchers Warns Amid Public Trust Crisis

The Body of Benchers has said many Nigerians view the country’s judiciary as lacking integrity, transparency, and accountability due to alleged corruption and bias affecting court decisions.

Represented by Chief Adegboyega Awomolo, SAN, at a valedictory court session organized by the Supreme Court in Abuja on Monday to honor the late Justice Emmanuel Ayoola, who passed away on August 20 at the age of 90, the body stated, “There occurred from time to time unreported cases of conflicting decisions from courts of coordinate jurisdiction, presumably due to external interference.”

According to Awomolo, the conflicting decisions occurred in matters affecting the interests of political parties and politically exposed persons.

He added that this negative perception undermines the authority of the judiciary, which is crucial for upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice.

He noted that the challenges facing the judiciary include corruption, inefficiency, and a lack of independence, and that this negative perception has eroded trust in the judiciary.

The senior lawyer stressed that a weak judiciary undermines the country’s democratic system, allowing impunity to thrive.

He added that the responsibility to salvage the judiciary from prejudice and eliminate the negative perception begins with members of the Bar and the Bench.

“There must be responsibility and accountability from every lawyer and judge,” he said.

“There must be consequences for every inappropriate conduct by members of the Bar and Bench. The National Judicial Council (NJC) must demonstrate its authority and powers.”

He said the late Justice Ayoola will be remembered for his commitment to truth, the justice delivered in his judgments, his deliberate crusade against corruption, and his exceptional zeal for preserving judicial integrity and honor, both nationally and globally.

Earlier in his address, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, described the late Justice Ayoola as a towering figure in judicial excellence, whose eloquence, moral fortitude, and incisive judgments left indelible marks on Africa, echoing beyond Nigeria’s borders.

Reflecting on his illustrious career, Justice Kekere-Ekun noted that Ayoola was not just a judge but a judicial philosopher, a tireless champion for justice, and an embodiment of legal activism.

Born in Ilesha, Osun State, Justice Ayoola rose from humble beginnings to become one of Nigeria’s most revered jurists, a journey underscored by resilience, intellect, and unwavering dedication to the principles of justice.

His influence spanned Africa, from the Gambian Court of Appeal, where he served as Chief Justice, to the Court of Appeal in Seychelles, where he held the position of President.

Renowned for his brilliance, meticulous nature, and ethical fortitude, Justice Ayoola stood as a beacon of courage amid societal corruption and judicial misconduct.

As Chairman of Nigeria’s Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), he championed accountability and transparency, leaving a legacy that paved the way for improved governance in Nigeria.

“His judgments meticulously crafted and fearlessly delivered remain revered as exemplars of clarity and precision,” she said.

Also speaking at the event, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, assured the judiciary of continued support from the Federal Government, enabling it to fulfill its constitutional role without fear or favor.

He said that, in light of this, the government had begun efforts to overhaul some of the nation’s outdated laws to align them with contemporary developments.

Fagbemi described the late Justice Ayoola as an accomplished jurist.

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mazi Afam Osigwe, represented by the Association’s General Secretary, highlighted that Justice Ayoola’s service to the NBA was pivotal in shaping its current stature.

He emphasized that Justice Ayoola’s belief that the law serves those who seek it is evident in the many sound judgments that defined his time on the Bench, as well as in his human rights advocacy and ideals.

Justice Awa Bah, a justice of the Supreme Court of The Gambia, representing the Chief Justice of The Gambia, stated that Ayoola not only contributed his remarkable legal mind to Nigeria’s judiciary but also shone as a guiding light for their country’s judiciary.