……insists Election cases must be concluded before swearing-in of winners.
COMMUNIQUE
ISSUED AT THE END OF THE NIGERIAN BAR ASSOCIATION AKURE BRANCH LAW WEEK HELD FROM 9TH TO 14TH NOVEMBER, 2025 AT THE INTERNATIONAL EVENTS & CULTURAL CENTER (THE DOME) IGBATORO ROAD, AKURE, ONDO STATE
1.0 PREAMBLE:
1.1 The quest for a utilitarian judiciary is not just a desire, but a necessity for our nation’s progress. The 2025 Annual Law Week of the Akure Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, with the theme “NIGERIA: QUEST FOR UTILITARIAN JUDICIARY AND ROLE FOR STAKEHOLDERS”, is aimed at accentuating the need for a judicial system that is practical and purposeful in all ramifications. The theme resonates deeply with the objectives of the Branch to explore its relevance and implications for the legal profession and relevant stakeholders.
1.2 This year’s NBA Akure Branch Law Week is in honour of an illustrious son of Ondo State, Senator Dr. Bode Olajumoke, LL.M, Ph.D, LL.D, BL, for his tremendous contributions to the legal profession, public service, and philanthropy. The Sen. Bode Olajumoke Relaxation Centre was graciously donated by the erudite Man of Honour to the Branch.
1.3 The Seven-day Law Week, which commenced with a Church Service at the Deeper Life Bible Church Headquarters, Oke-Aro, Akure, featured a series of business sessions, humanitarian events such as sensitization of the general public to human rights; welfare visits to correctional centres, a football match, and a grand finale, dinner/award night.
1.4 The Law Week also featured intellectual, well-informed, and seasoned Speakers/Discussants who presented topics designed to engender reforms in areas such as the justice sector, electoral process, custodian and correctional systems. Participants included Judges, Magistrates, Senior Advocates of Nigeria, and practicing Legal Practitioners from the private and official Bar, who had an opportunity to engage in dialogue about putting in place a coordinated plan of action and strategize follow-up on respective roles and responsibilities.
2.0 OPENING CEREMONY:
2.1 On Tuesday, 11th November, 2025, the Law Week was officially declared open by His Excellency Dr. Lucky Orimisan Ayedatiwa, the Governor, Ondo State, ably represented by Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN. OON, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of Ondo State.
2.2 The keynote address titled “BOW TO GOD AND NOT TO TRUMP”, which was delivered by a former Minister of Aviation and legal practitioner of great repute, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode, was thought-provoking and inspiring.
3.0 BUSINESS SESSIONS
DAY 1 – 11TH NOVEMBER, 2025:
3.1 The 1st Session was on the topic: “ACCESS TO JUSTICE IN RURAL AREAS OF NIGERIA: ISSUES AND CHALLENGES” was chaired by His Lordship Hon. Justice Eunice Aderonke Alade, President, Customary Court of Appeal, Ondo State. There were four (4) Discussants led by His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr) Yusuf Adebori Adeleye, OON, the Olubaka and Paramount Ruler of Oka Akoko Kingdom.
3.2 The 2nd Business Session was on the topic: “JUDICIAL INDEPENDENCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY: REALITIES OF THE TIME” and was chaired by His Lordship Hon. Justice Sunday Olorundahunsi (Judge of the Ondo State High Court). Aare Olumuyiwa Akinboro, SAN led the Discussants.
DAY 2: 12TH NOVEMBER, 2025:
3.3 The 3rd Business Session was on the topic: “CORRECTIONAL REFORMS: PATHWAYS TO REHABILITATION AND REINTEGRATION OF EX-INMATES” and it was chaired by His Lordship Hon. Justice Ademola Enikuomehin (Judge of the Ondo State High Court). Discussants using Ondo State as a case study were of the view that Nigeria is operating a punitive prison system and not a correctional system. Ex-inmates are not adequately rehabilitated and properly reintegrated, and there is a need to reform our correctional framework and policies. Discussants pointed out that certain factors are responsible for this, such as social exclusion and discrimination, lack of opportunities for employment, housing, and education, which result in recidivism. Other factors include overpopulation of persons awaiting trial, underfunding, and so on.
3.4 The 4th Business Session was on the topic: “PROMOTING ELECTORAL JUSTICE THROUGH LEGISLATIVE AND JUDICIAL INTERVENTION” which was chaired by His Lordship Hon. Justice D. I. Kolawole (Judge of the Ondo State High Court). The Discussants, led by Dr. Remi Olatubora SAN, Ph.D, ably represented by Mr. Olumide Ogidan, Esq, elucidated on the Electoral system and reforms from 1999 to the present, highlighting key legal and technological changes which have improved on the electoral integrity in Nigeria.
3.5 The 5th Business Session was on the topic: “JUDICIARY AS A CATALYST FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: EFFICACY OF COURT JUDGMENTS”. The session was chaired by His Lordship Hon. Justice Emmanuel Bamidele Omotoso (Judge of the Ekiti State High Court). The Discussants, led by His Lordship Hon. Justice Prof. Alero Akeredolu (Judge of the Ondo State High Court), emphasized the importance of Courts to deliver timely and fair judgments to protect the economic rights of citizens and enhance the flow of money and business confidence. The Discussants also pointed out that the delay in Court judgments can halt economic activities by blocking local and foreign investment.
4.0 RECOMMENDATIONS/RESOLUTIONS:
The NBA Akure Branch has identified some of the challenges/constraints of access to justice in rural areas in Ondo State. These include insecurity, geographical isolation, language barrier, ignorance of the law, inadequate transportation, understaffed courts, infrastructural constraints such as bad roads and rural electrification, high cost of filing, corruption, and so on.
The NBA Akure Branch reiterates that there is a need for sensitization of rural dwellers of their rights, including the right of free and prompt access to the court system.
The NBA Akure Branch advocates the need to revive and improve the Traditional Court systems in our rural areas.
On Judiciary Autonomy, the NBA Akure Branch reiterates that the Judiciary is severely compromised by financial dependence on the Executive, undermining its ability to function impartially and effectively. The Judiciary lacks fiscal autonomy with the Executive withholding up to 60 70 per cent of their budgets, causing serious operational shortfalls and causing the Judiciary Head to constantly seek funds from the Executive. Thus, weakening independence and exposing Judges to political pressure.
It is high time that the Judiciary must be severed from the apron-string of the Executive.
The NBA Akure Branch calls for the full implementation of the provisions of Section 121 (3) (c) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). The judiciary must be allowed to control its finances, amenities, and infrastructures, devoid of interference by the Executive.
The NBA Akure Branch has resolved to set up an Ad-Hoc Committee to interface with the Judiciary and the Executive to ensure the full implementation of full Judiciary autonomy in line with the Constitution.
The NBA Akure Branch calls for the need for full implementation of the Correctional Service Act, 2019, with a conscious effort by all Stakeholders to rehabilitate and reintegrate ex-inmates back into society.
The NBA Akure Branch advocates for the need for the Ondo State Government to establish a department in charge of Correctional reforms and policies focusing more on funding, data, and proper monitoring of the rehabilitation and reintegration of Ex-Inmates.
The NBA Akure Branch advocates that more Half-Way Houses should be established and well-funded by the Ondo State Government, to prepare Ex-Inmates back into society. It is suggested that the Ondo State Government enter into Public-Private Partnerships for the reintegration of ex-inmates into society.
It is suggested that all Stakeholders should synergize and collaborate to develop data systems to track correctional outcomes and reform policies to improve accountability and resource allocation in line with international best practices.
The NBA Akure Branch advocates that there is a compelling need for constant training and re-training of the Correctional Officers, the Police, and other Security Agencies to keep pace with the dynamic operation of the Correctional Services Act, 2019.
The NBA Akure Branch calls for limited judicial intervention in elections with greater emphasis on Executive and Legislative responsibility for electoral integrity without compromising justice.
The NBA Akure Branch on the Judiciary not to be overburdened with election matters at the detriment of other regular matters to reduce congestion in Courts. It is suggested that election disputes should be resolved or determined before candidates are sworn into office. It is also suggested that the Legislature should enact clearer and less ambiguous laws to address practical challenges and reduce loopholes exploited by politicians.
The NBA Akure Branch advocates for the establishment of specialized Commercial Courts like those in Lagos and Rivers States to handle business or commercial disputes and deliver effective justice faster, thereby enhancing the flow of money in the State’s economy and business confidence for local and foreign investors.
In addition, the NBA Akure Branch advocates for the need to embrace Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) as part of contracts and other commercial documents. Not every dispute should end in litigation.
5.0 CONCLUSION:
5.1 In conclusion, it must be reiterated that to achieve a utilitarian Judiciary that will deliver the greatest good to the greatest number, there must be active collaboration of all the stakeholders; that is, the Judiciary, the Legislature, the Executive, civil society, the citizenry, and most importantly, the Bar.
LONG LIVE NBA AKURE BRANCH! LONG LIVE ONDO STATE!
LONG LIVE NIGERIA!
