Don calls for promotion of equity, justice in Nigeria

Prof. John Akintayo of the Department of Jurisprudence and International law, Faculty of Law, University of Ibadan, has called for promotion of equity and justice in Nigeria through good application of laws.

Akintayo, a Professor of Law, made the call on Thursday in Ibadan, while delivering the 517th inaugural lecture of the Faculty of Law entitled: “The Lawful Use of Law.”

He said Nigerians were becoming more conscious of their legal rights, hence, the need to strengthen the judicial processes through review of the legislative lists and the constitutional amendments.

Akintayo also said there should be stiffer sanctions for violation of the Nigerian Constitution with impunity.

The Professor of Law recommended review of pensions and benefits being paid to the governors and other political office holders to allow equity for workers and the downtrodden.

He stressed the need for law to convey the truth, honesty and promote justice, saying, “it must be pure; it must be lovely; it must produce a good report; it must be virtuous and it must be praiseworthy.”

Also, Akintayo recommended the constitutional documents periodically by a body of technical experts in the broader context of social justice.

According to him, this is to ensure its continued relevance and ensure that the solemn document stands to inspire confidence in the people it is to govern.

“Once the people lose trust in the Constitution, it is almost impossible to regain it.

“The issue of justice permeates all types of adjudications, but we have emphasised its significance in constitutional adjudication, because of its propensity to have a multiplier effect.

“Courts are obliged to dispense even-handed justice to all categories of litigants before them, be they private persons or government functionaries or institutions.

“This makes it imperative that adequate machinery be put in place for the dispensation of even-handed justice in such proceedings,” he said.

The don said that the legislature must draw inspiration from the spirit of the Constitution to advance justice by enacting laws that would improve the welfare of the average citizens and others who were at the margin of society.

He said that indifference to existential problems might push citizens to the wall “and we will always have the poor with us.When this happens, violent changes may become inevitable.”

Akintayo said that judges and lawyers who are custodians and dispensers of justice, must be conscious of their enormous responsibilities.

“This is to preserve, defend and protect the law and their sacred duty to dignify it by clothing it with justice at all times.

“Law serves a lawful purpose when its primary occupation is the pursuit of true justice. Its propensity to be used as an instrument of justice accentuates its utility.

“Citizens must keep watch over elected officials and public officers to ensure their fidelity to the law.

“Professionals of all disciplines, intellectuals of all learning, as well as credible politicians of all persuasion in and out of government, must see their privileged position in terms of access to wealth or knowledge,” he said.

Akintayo, however, urged the authorities of University of Ibadan to make case to the Federal Government, through the relevant agencies, to allow  increase of its graduate admission to LLB programme.

“It should go beyond the current level of a fragment of 10 per cent and also allow for direct entry admission,” Akintayo said.

He also called for research in Customary Law to be intensified.

“States should begin the process of documenting Customary Law from ward to local government and produce a restatement at the state level,” Akintayo said.