Clarion Call On The Nigerian Bar Association And The Legal Profession To Safeguard Our Constitutional Democracy
By Mutalubi Ojo Adebayo, SAN.
With the landmark Supreme Court judgement delivered yesterday that lucidly pronounced and entrenched Local Government Autonomy in Nigeria, the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu through the use of Law for Social Engineering by our erudite and versatile Honourable Attorney- General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN has effectively liberated all the Local Governments in Nigeria from the tyranny and oppression of our Emperornic Governors. The President and HAGF have both duly played their parts and roles very well. History and posterity shall forever be kind to them and also to the entire Supreme Court.
It is now left for our Legal Practitioners and the Bar Associations in the country to also live up to their responsibilities as the Defenders and Promoters of Constitutional Liberties, Democracy and Good Governance by stoutly resisting and refusing to allow themselves to be used as tools by any Governor to whittle down the consequential effects of the judgement and or to frustrate same through the filing of unprofessional actions and litigations.
The Nigerian Bar Association and all her branches accross the country must be alert and be ready to be the watchdog of the judiciary in general and in particular our State High Courts with a view to guard jealously their independence and promote the rule of law.
The Supreme Court has equally live up to its name as the apex and policy court in the land and played its constitutional roles and duties.
All other courts of records in the country and most especially our High Courts which are arguably known and reputed (mostly) to be knight errands of their respective state Governors and governments must also now be ready to defend our Constitution by adjudicating on cases brought before them fairly without fear or favour no matter whose ox is gored. Like we all know, the heaven will never fall. They should adhere strictly to their oaths of office and allow justice to flow freely.
The Nigerian Bar Association at all levels must promptly report and petition the National Judicial Council against any judge(s) who dispense justice contrary to judicial oath or in contravention of the Constitution and or against the settled decision of the Supreme Court on this issue of local government autonomy.
The NJC must also live up to its responsibility by bringing full weight of the law down heavily on such erring judicial officers to ensure their dismissal from our scared bench.
The NBA also must initiate disciplinary proceedings against any of its members( no matter highly placed) who may try and attempt to render ineffective the apex court judgement of the Supreme Court and ensure that such bad elements are flushed out of the Bar and this should not exclude our members in the parliament.
Long live the Nigerian Democracy, Long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Dated this 12th day of July, 2024.
JCI Senator Mutalubi Ojo Adebayo, SAN,
Asiwaju of Ita-Ege & Idi-Aro,
Ward 5, Agba- Ofin of Orile-Igbon Kingdom, wrote from
Ibadan South-East Local Government, Oyo State
