Femi Okunnu, a senor advocate of Nigeria (SAN), says
fearless judges like the late Isiaka Oluwa, a retired judge at the high court
of Lagos, are presently lacking in Nigeria.
Okunnu, who spoke with TheCable and some selected journalists
at his Lagos residence on Thursday, said the country’s justice system has
experienced a fall in standard over the years.
According to him, the deceased, who passed away at 102, was
an “upright” judge who served Lagos state and the country during his lifetime.
Asked to compare the late Oluwa with contemporary Nigerian
judges, the octogenarian said: “Very different. In those days, we had fearless,
upright judges. Today, not so. The standards have fallen.
“As a high court judge, when we talk of a judge being
upright, it doesn’t apply to many of the young judges now in Nigeria. But it
was very much applicable to Justice Isiaka Oluwa. He was an upright judge.
“If you come late to his court by one minute than the fixed
time, you are out. At exactly 9am, Oluwa will be seated inside the court to
dispense justice.”
The former federal commissioner for works and housing
buttressed how the late judge convicted Jimoh Ishola, better known as
Ejibadero, for killing some land owners over a protracted land dispute in 1975.
He explained Ejibadero’s efforts to contest the judgement
came to nothing with the appeal court and supreme courts affirming Oluwa’s
earlier verdict.
He added that the qualities of the late Oluwa inspired
several lawyers during his lifetime, including himself, to strive for
uprightness.
Okunu said the deceased’s remarkable career impacted on the
Lagos State University (LASU), when he
was pro-chancellor and chairman, governing council.
“When he was the pro-chancellor, LASU was the best in
criminal law in Nigeria. The school was number one,” he said.
He also described COVID-19 as “a very dangerous thing,”
appealing to Nigerians to ensure strict compliance with the various guidelines
by health authorities.
“For your own sake, I pray and beg you, observe the rules,
keep social distance. You don’t know who by accident or whatever carries the
virus. Keep social distancing, wear the masks to cover your nose,” he said.
“It’s a very dangerous thing. See how it has restricted our
movement. It has turned the economy upside down because there is no work,
lockdown.”
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