Olanipekun Advocates Improved Mordern Facilities in Court.

... Donates Ultra Modern High Court Complex to Ekiti State Judiciary.

By Editor

The Chairman, Body of Benchers, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, has called for urgent intervention on the state of courtrooms in Nigeria.

Olanipekun appealed to different governments all over the country, as well as all men of goodwill, saying “we have to pay attention to the deteriorating state of courtrooms, court facilities and fixtures, in most parts of the country.”

Olanipekun made the remarks in Ikere-Ekiti, his country home at the commissioning of the newly constructed ultra-modern courtroom, he donated to the Ekiti State High Court, Ikere Judicial Division, on Thursday.

According to the legal luminary: “The walls and roofs of a good number of our courtrooms are collapsing and caving in. Basic facilities such as toilets are not available in a good number of courts all over the country.

Olanipekun said the ambience of a typical or average courtroom should reflect an atmosphere of learning that judges and lawyers subscribe to, and are known for, rather than being unkempt.

“I venture to submit that a good courtroom with up-to-date facilities will attract the confidence of litigants in our judicial system.

“If we continue to fail, refuse and neglect to maintain Justice, Justice, in turn, may refuse to regulate us, and eventually desert us,” he said.

Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, commended Chief Olanipekun for the donation said this is yet another demonstration of his commitment to giving back to the law profession where he has made his mark as a distinguished member of the Bar and the Bench.

Oyebanji reiterated the commitment of his administration to the development of the state’s judiciary with effective policies and provision of conducive environment, calling on individuals to contribute to the development of the society and not leave everything to the government. 

“As a government, our administration understands the importance of law and order to the progress and development of our state. We are committed to effective administration of justice that serves the public by ensuring that condition of our courts and the welfare of the judicial officers are well attended to.

“I, therefore, call on all Ekiti indigenes all over the world to emulate this act of generous giving back to the society,” he stressed.

In his remark, the chief judge of Ekiti state, Justice Oyewole Adeyeye condemned  growing infrastructure decay in the judicial sector, and lauded the former NBA president for the timely donation of the edifice, which he said would enhance effective administration of justice in the state.

Earlier in his address, the NBA Chairman Ikere Ekiti Branch, Dr Michael Afolayan eulogies the various contributions of Olanipekun to the Branch, discribed him as their benefactor and assured him of the branch's unalloyed support  to him.

"Let me equally use this opportunity to notify our Grand Patron that Ikere-Ekiti Branch of the NBA is your Baby and we are resolutely behind you sir. 

"I have the resolution and mandate of the Branch to further inform the whole world that Chief Wole Olanipekun, CFR, SAN remains our standard bearer, leader and moral ambassador. NBA Ikere Ekiti Branch, will therefore, never be a part to any agenda to rubbish, witch-hunt or label this icon any name which is intended to lower his reputation in the legal profession", he said.

Also present at the event were, president of the court of appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem; Acting chief justice of Kwara state, Justice Abiodun Adebara; special adviser to the president on political matters, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, top senior lawyers and justices, among others.

Photo credit: Adesoji Gabriel