A Professor of Law at Ekiti State University, Ado-Ekiti (EKSU), Omolade Oniyinde, has advocated for better remuneration for Judges and Magistrates in order to strengthen the justice system in Nigeria.
Professor Oniyinde also noted that courts as institutions should be supported to reduce delays in trials, adding that suspects should not be left to languish on remand in correctional centres to aid speedy and timely justice.
Oniyinde stated this yesterday in Ikere-Ekiti during a public lecture titled: “The Quest For Justice in Nigerian Society,” organised in honour of a veteran litigant in Ekiti, the late Michael Ajana, who died at the age of 103.
She also urged Nigerians to have basic knowledge of their rights as contained in Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, which, according to her, would enhance smooth justice in the country.
Her words: “To enhance smooth justice in our society, everyone must have at least a basic education to know their rights. Under Chapter 4 of the 1999 Constitution, for instance, you have the right to life, the right to dignity of the human person, and so on.
“Citizens must know when their rights are being infringed upon. Once you recognise an infringement, the next step is to enforce those rights by approaching the courts to seek redress.
“For this to work effectively, the judiciary itself must be strengthened. Magistrates and judges should be well paid, adequately funded, and motivated.
“The courts as institutions must also be well supported to reduce delays. People should not be kept on prolonged trials or left to languish on remand in correctional centres. Justice should be speedy and timely.”
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Ekiti State Independent Electoral Commission (EKSIEC), Gboyega Morakinyo, urged Nigerians to know their rights and not to be intimidated by any external force, saying these would enable them to defend themselves and allow justice to prevail.
He added, “Nothing good comes easy. Justice is natural; it is as essential as human life itself, so you cannot separate the two. It is therefore our duty to work towards achieving justice. And yes, it is possible. I am one of those who still strongly believe that Nigeria will work.
“You take your place and refuse to be a coward. Insist on your rights. Let it be known that no one can subject you to injustice. If you are in doubt, seek knowledge. If you are accused of something, don’t resign to fate; ask questions, seek advice, find direction. With that, you are already taking the first step.”
Speaking with journalists, the son of the deceased, Barrister Olajide Ajana, said the lecture, which would be held annually, was organised to honour his late father, who had been defending justice since 1962.
He described him as a renowned litigant in the law profession, respected by Judges and Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, who referred to him as a pillar of defence.
Ajana said his father’s influence extended beyond the courts, even after he turned 100 years old, adding that he would often visit the palace to advocate for justice, with politicians also flocking to him to tap into his wealth of wisdom.
“We are holding this lecture in honour of my late father because he was very passionate about justice and pursued it relentlessly since 1962, especially for his family.
“He was constantly in court, from local courts to traditional authorities, and even judges who later became Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria referred to him as a ‘pillar of defence’ for his family. He was known as an experienced litigant who never gave up.
“Even at the age of 100, the family still depended on him to channel the cause of justice. He would go to the palace to restate family history, present evidence, and defend the family in advanced cases still in court.
“He lived his life for justice, and that is why we are organising this lecture in his honour. By God’s grace, this lecture will be held annually,” he added.
