Former Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), Prof. Olanrewaju Fagbohun, SAN, has said that sincere leadership and a reform of the judiciary is a critical mechanism for an effective federal system that would birth a Nigeria that is working for all.

Fagbohun stated this while delivering the keynote address at the 21st Annual Public Lecture and Luncheon of Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates’ Association (UNIFEMGA), Lagos Chapter, with the theme: ‘Harnessing Opportunities for a New Nigeria’

The event chaired by the Managing Director, of Lotus Bank, Alhaja Kafilat Araoye, was well-attended and featured award presentation to two alumni of the great institution, Justice Habeeb Adewale Abiru and Yusuf Olaolu Alli (SAN) for their outstanding contributions and exemplary leadership in their respective fields.

In his lecture, Fagbohun decried the deeply flawed system for the appointment of judges, inordinate reliance on technicality and legalism, and allegations of corruption, among other issues that have characterised Nigeria’s judicial system.

“When the judicial system is efficient (i.e. capable of producing desired results without wasting resources) and effective (i.e. producing a result that is wanted), it will be authoritative in adjudication and earn the respect of the society. When it is otherwise, the consequences manifest in incidences of pervasive betrayals such as earlier mentioned and worsening constitutional tensions as are being experienced in the country today.

“In recent times, a series of judgments and rulings have increased the withering attacks on Nigeria’s judiciary. Before the recent attacks, the sector has been struggling with delays in the determination of cases, inadequate funding, allegations of corruption, inordinate reliance on technicality and legalism, and a deeply flawed system for the appointment of judges.

“One of the most eloquent statements about the current state of Nigeria’s judiciary was made by a retiring Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Musa Datijo Muhammad, at his valedictory session.”

He noted that a couple of years ago, appointment to the bench was strictly on merit, sound knowledge of the law, integrity, honour, and hard work distinguish those who were elevated.

“As much as possible, the most qualified men and women were appointed. That can no longer be said about an appointment to the bench. It is asserted that the process of appointment to judicial positions is deliberately conducted to give undue advantage to the children, spouses and mistress of serving and retired judges and managers of judicial offices.

“ The judiciary I am exiting from is far from the one I voluntarily joined and desired to serve and be identified with. The institution has become something else.”

Fagbohun, a former Vice Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), emphasised that the reform of Nigeria’s judiciary is a matter of urgency.

“In the face of the above narration of systematic judicial failure, need we ask any further, why Nigeria’s federalism is fledgling? As a matter of urgency, Nigeria needs to reform its judiciary. We must overhaul the system for appointing Judges, enhance accountability through monitoring; ensure independence; appropriately resource the system including providing sufficient incentives for judicial officers, and prioritise improving access to justice.”

Speaking further, Fagbohun does not share the view that Nigeria’s problem has defied a solution. He noted that the country needs only sincere leadership, where people in authority prioritise collective interest above self-interest.

Meanwhile, the awardees couldn’t hide their excitement seeing their friends and colleagues back in their university days who came from within and outside the country to rejoice with them.

In his brief remarks, Justice Abiru said he was grateful to Almighty Allah and overwhelmed by what people are saying about him.

He added that the task he has been given as a supreme court justice is a daunting one, while seeking Allah’s guidance and assistance.

He urged his friends, colleagues and Nigerians to remember him in prayer for  Allah to guide and assist him.

“The task I have been given as a Justice of the Supreme Court is a daunting task. It is said that when you are not content with the judgement of a high court, you go to the appeal court. When you’re not content with that of the appeal court, you move to the Supreme Court.

But if you are not satisfied with the judgement of the Supreme Court, you turn to Allah. So, it’s a daunting task for us at the Supreme Court. I just pray that the Almighty Allah will grant me success in the new role.

“I always refer back to what Sheikh Gumi said in 1977 when he was appointed as Amirul Hajj. He said pray for me. When I came back and succeed in the assignment, then you should congratulate me. So, it’s not until you succeed in the assignment you’re given that you can be congratulated. I appeal that you all keep me in your prayers.

“I know I have not been regular at UNIFEMGA. I’m making a commitment that I will try, inshallah, to be more regular in our events and participate more. I have a lot of other commitments, but I will try to do so.

“On behalf of myself, my wife and my family, I say Jazzakumullah Khayran for this award. Inshallah, we will continue to merit your accolades,” he noted.

On his part, Prof. Yusuf Ali, SAN, appreciated the guest speaker and everyone who graced the event, saying that the tasks before him were enormous and that with Allah’s help, he would succeed.

He said: “I want to thank all of you. May Allah continue to be with you. May we have great things to celebrate among ourselves. Let’s continue to be relevant. One man’s fortune should be the fortune of all of us. And if there is a problem, we must all share it as well. Being with my peers is the happiest moment of my life because that is the group people can call you by your name.

“Sometimes, when people say things about me, I looked around, whether it was somebody else. Of course, there are things people said that I know they are talking about me. But there are certain things they say sometimes that make me cry, especially when they talk about things they said I did that were good. I thank you all for all the good things you have said about me.”

Ali said he initially thought he would go to teach but Allah had other plans for him, adding, “I never thought one day I would become a professor. I was just doing my own thing, writing papers to engage my brain and contribute chapters to books. To the glory of God, I have been able to author three books and in shaa Allah, before the end of the year, the fourth will be released.

“One day, I was just sitting in my office when I was invited to deliver the first Faculty lecture at the Federal University Oye Ekiti, but I told them I couldn’t do it back then.  So, they left but I told them we would be talking.

“When we later agreed, I picked a topic and we fixed the date. When I got to Oye Ekiti, we called on the Vice Chancellor in his office and we exchanged greetings.  He then told me he had a surprise for me and I said no problem. He also attended my lecture. When I finished, he said he was just waiting for my presentation, though he had seen me speaking elsewhere, he wanted his officers to see me talk. He then told me that the Senate has agreed they will make me a Professor of Practice in Oye.

“If you serve Allah, you’re also serving yourself. Allah has been kind to all of us despite our little efforts,” he added.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of UNIFEMGA, Saheed Bashir said the body comprises Muslim professionals in various fields who graduated from UNIFE (now OAU).

“We have, over the years, helped our members to develop their capacities, network with captains of industries, and tap into opportunities that we feel needful by providing resource people to dissect such in fora as this,” he added.

He explained that the public lecture is a flagship programme for UNIFEMGA Lagos, with this year’s edition combining the reception of two SANS, Ali and Abiru.