It was not a crowd, but an assemblage of quality minds. It was the gathering of some of the nation’s best in the legal profession and some youths, who aspire after them.
The event – a book launch and public lecture – held last Thursday in Abuja by some Law students of the University of Abuja, was intended to celebrate the intellectual accomplishments of Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour of the Supreme Court, and his contributions to the nation’s judicial system.
Titled: ‘’The state of the Nigerian nation: Leadership crisis, terrorism, corruption and peace building,’’ the event, however, provided a platform for a frank analysis of the many ills plaguing the nation. Speakers identified impunity, avarice, corruption and bad leadership as the main contributors to the nation’s stunted growth. They contended that a solution lies in the people’s resolve to confront theses vices rather than complain about them.
In attendance were Justices of the Supreme Court, Justices John Fabiyi, Kayode Ariwoola, Mary Peter Odili, Kumai Bayang Aka’ahs and John Okoro; Justices of the Court of Appeal,Tajiani Abukakar, and Adeniyi Ademola; Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court and former Justice Minister and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Kanu Agabi (SAN).
Also at the event were former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Damian Dodo (SAN), J. O. Olatoke (SAN), Joe Agi (SAN) and former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Stephen Oronsaye.
Speakers praised the honouree. Olanipekun described him as “one of the very best that our profession has produced; one of the very best that is adorning our country’s Bench”.
It was not a crowd, but an assemblage of quality minds. It was the gathering of some of the nation’s best in the legal profession and some youths, who aspire after them.
The event – a book launch and public lecture – held last Thursday in Abuja by some Law students of the University of Abuja, was intended to celebrate the intellectual accomplishments of Justice Olabode Rhodes-Vivour of the Supreme Court, and his contributions to the nation’s judicial system.
Titled: ‘’The state of the Nigerian nation: Leadership crisis, terrorism, corruption and peace building,’’ the event, however, provided a platform for a frank analysis of the many ills plaguing the nation. Speakers identified impunity, avarice, corruption and bad leadership as the main contributors to the nation’s stunted growth. They contended that a solution lies in the people’s resolve to confront theses vices rather than complain about them.
In attendance were Justices of the Supreme Court, Justices John Fabiyi, Kayode Ariwoola, Mary Peter Odili, Kumai Bayang Aka’ahs and John Okoro; Justices of the Court of Appeal,Tajiani Abukakar, and Adeniyi Ademola; Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court and former Justice Minister and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Kanu Agabi (SAN).
Also at the event were former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Wole Olanipekun (SAN), Damian Dodo (SAN), J. O. Olatoke (SAN), Joe Agi (SAN) and former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Stephen Oronsaye.
Speakers praised the honouree. Olanipekun described him as “one of the very best that our profession has produced; one of the very best that is adorning our country’s Bench”.
Olanipekun, who praised organisers of the event for their effort, said it was one of the best ways to honour an individual who has given his all to the administration of justice. He said he had known Justice Rhodes-Vicour in the early 70s as an undergraduate at the University of Lagos, noting that the Justice has “quintessential and recondite” personality.
He said: “Nobody is remembered for the extent to which he acquired material wealth while on earth, but for the good you did. You can only be remembered through what has been written and said about you.”
Justice Fabiyi, who spoke on behalf of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, said he had been unable to see the CJN since the courts were shut by Judiciary workers, who have been on strike since January 5 to force the Executive (both at the federal and state levels) to obey a judgment given on January 13, 2014 by a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Fabiyi, who seemed uncomfortable with the Executive’s reluctance to obey court orders, observed that the election period was when the Judiciary requires more prayers to enable it handle the post-election litigation challenges. “We are trying all our possible best to keep this nation afloat. And we know that many of you are praying for us in time like this. In the next six weeks, we will see what happens,” he said.
Agabi, who gave the keynote address, expressed concern about the growing disrespect for law and order. He praised the judiciary for sustaining the country, but advised judicial officers to always resist efforts to tempt them to betray their out of office.
He contended that as against the belief, the Judiciary is not corrupt, but it is imperfect. He argued that the allegation of corruption is intended to discourage the Judiciary, because it serves as the country’s only hope of continued existence.
Agabi regretted the practice where government and leaders deliberately ignore court judgments and orders, arguing that such practice was not healthy for the nation that seeks to grow its democracy on the principles of law and order, and rule of law.
“Those in authorities must always remind themselves that they will die one day and give account of their deeds. We have reached a point where corruption permeated every department of our national life, so that we all became corrupt. We all have to repent.
“A time is never going to come when we shall legitimize corruption or violence; a time is never going to come when we shall abolish the law and the courts. We belong to a nation, some of whose citizens are seeking immortality in the things that are perishable. You judges have the unique privilege of immortalising yourselves now that you are judging. That is what you do when you commit them to writing.
“Generations upon generations forever, shall condemn Pontius Pilate, who declared that he found no guilt in Christ, but nevertheless, sentenced him to death. That is the fate that awaits those judges who succumb,” Agabi said.
Justice Rhodes-Vivour frowned at the continued condemnation of the identified ills of the society, particularly corruption; but with people reluctant to confront the vices. He said what was needed for the country to exit the woods, was for everyone to resolve to work for a better society. He waived aside the anxiety being expressed over the next general election, assuring that the Judiciary will not fret, as it was capable of handling whatever the outcomes turns out to be.
“Anytime anybody stands up to speak, what he says is that this one is corrupt, that one is corrupt. I always say; nothing new is being said. If you read Genesis, chapter six, verse 12 in the Bible, God said the whole world was corrupt. That, man has corrupted the world. That was then. And now, we are still saying this is corrupt, that is corrupt.
“What we should do is to gather together and try to reduce corruption. I think it is high time we start addressing how to reduce corruption instead of reminding ourselves that this or that is corrupt. Let us think of ways to reduce it.
“The whole country is wondering what this election will be like, whether the country could handle it. I think we will handle it easily. As far as the judiciary is concerned, we are waiting for whatever comes from the election with pleasurable anticipation.
