Lord Denning once said “The duty of the judge is to make the law live and breathe.” he also said “Justice must be accessible to all, regardless of their social status or wealth.”
In light of the above, the Adekunle Ajasin university Akungba-Akoko student Union government in a bid to make justice accessible to all her students has seized technology in aiding such.
The judicial arm of the AAUASU, the Student Judicial Council, on the 18th of October 2023 in its annual judicial summit event tagged THE 21ST CENTURY JUDICIAL OFFICER: ITS PROBLEM AND OPPORTUNITIES, brought to limelight some of the challenges facing the 21st century judicial officer, and equally, the launching of the SJC website.
The program started exactly 11:26 am at the Academic staff union of University cooperative multipurpose society hall after which the opening prayer was led. A welcome speech was delivered by the chief justice of the AAUASU, Hon. justice David O. Adenegan, where he welcomed everyone to the event and also urged everyone to pay attention to all that was going to happen at the event.
The guest speaker, Barrister Oladele Oladejo, the chairman of the Nigeria Bar association, owo branch was then call to the high table, afterwards, he was welcomed to speak on the theme of the gathering. Barrister Oladele started by reiterating the nobility in the legal profession and then he charged everyone present at the event to always present themselves as Noble.
He further highlighted the challenges that the 21st century judicial officer is being faced with. Among the challenges he mentioned Delay in trial, executive lawlessness, Corruption and so on, while he also mentioned the garnishee proceeding as one of the good development for the 21st century judicial officer.
After the speech, a panel session was anchored by Mr. Semiloore Akinsulure,(Semmy) a 300 Level law student, the panel consisted of Mr. Adetomiwa Fowowe(GCFR), a 400level Law student, Mr. Olatunde Olayinka(Teeclassic), a 500 Level law student, Mr Irewole Desmond(Delano), a 500 Level law student and Barrister Oladele Oladejo.
Barr. Oladele, while responding to a question was of the opinion that social media has affected the judicial system in terms of research and authentication of court cases, he submitted that it has made us lazy.
Mr Olatunde also commented on the concept of nolle proseque considering the nature of appointment of the person who is to exercise it, he submitted that we have nothing to stop it for now and he recommended that there should be a way to manage it subsequently through legislations.
Commenting on the bill for the creation of the office of the Attorney-general in AAUA that was championed by some energetic senators representing the faculty of law, Mr. Irewole Desmond submitted that it is a way forward
Mr. Adetomiwa Fowowe being one of the senators who championed the bill also commented on the bill and mentioned that the power of nolle proseque was removed in the bill to give way for an efficient student unionism. Mr. Olatunde, then commended the student Union president Comrade Adekanye Mayomi popularly known as INEC for signing the bill to law.
Barrister Oladele then emphasized the role of humility while replying a judge in a court of law. When asked of what the future holds for the judiciary, he said “ there is a great future for the judiciary, if the budding lawyers are relentless, not complacent, not intimidated, and not in a hurry to make name for themselves, the sky will be their starting point.
Afterwards, a certificate of recognition was presented to Barr Oladele. Then justice Elebute Anuoluwapo, the Lord chancellor of the SJC introduced the innovation of the SJC website (www.aauasjc.com.ng). The introduction was then followed by the proper launching of the website which started with the Kayode Esho public chamber represented by the chamber head, Mr Irewole Desmond, the chamber launched the website with total amount of 20,000 naira, this was followed by Gani Fawehinmi public chamber represented by the chamber head, Mr. Olatunde Olayinka, with the donation of 10, 000 naira, this was also followed by the Akinola Àgùdà public chamber, represented by the chamber head, Mr. Peter Emmanuel, with the donation of 10,000 naira. Also, donations was made by each of the Justices representing faculties at the SJC and some other persons present at the event in support of the project.
Interview With The Chief Justice, David O Adenegan
It is such a remarkable feat, to finally set this up (the website and all the things he did during his administration) as the Chief Justice of the SUG, and as well a landmark that seeks continuity, how would you project the Judicial council in the coming years? Do you think it'll continue to thrive and how do you intend to ensure the magnificent continuity?
>> Thank you very much for the wonderful question. It was not a easy thing however, it's happened that we have to do it regardless. In a bid to ensure continuity, We have put some mechanisms in place and one of which is that it is now a provision in the inner room chamber of the SJC for them to appoint an individual who would be in charge of the SJC website, with this, continuity is certain.
The intent of the website is to ensure inclusivity amongst the students in the university. However, it might still be challenging to easily disseminate the information about its existence and its relevance to the students, how do you intend to change the mindset of the students that the Students Judicial Council exists, and there's a seamless method of submitting there grievances?
>> We have observed this and so, we are going to ensure that all media outlets on campus are going to be actively engaged in awareness creation for the website. We discovered that “www" sticks to the brain than free till number, hence, the reason for the innovation.
How would you describe the judicial council of the university, prior to your emergence, and the different outlook your emergence has brought to the council? How do you feel? Do you feel contented about such achievements?
>>When I met the SJC upon assuming office as the CJ, it was dead. Prior to my inauguration, I did not forsee this great challenges. Upon assumption of office, I had to do some Administrative restructuring, media aide for the council was appointed and so on , this was achievable through the support of the AAUASU (both the executive and legislative arm).
One of the challenges I met was improper documentation , we met no single judgement, and we've ensured that all judgment now must be properly documented. I feel good about the development and I appreciate the effort of those who have contributed to the success, however, I have a reservation that we are not there yet, there is still room for improvement.
What are the challenges you faced as the chief judge? And how you were able to resolve them?
>>. As regards challenges, there are a lot of challenges apart from the challenge of improper documentation I mentioned earlier. Recently I wrote in a magazine where I discussed the untold truth about the AAUASU SJC. I also highlighted some other challenges facing the SJC and these challenges are but not limited to: Underfunding and Independent of the judiciary.
As regards judicial autonomy in the AAUASU, my take and submission is that we are not yet there, so, we're reaching out to the members of the Student Representative Council (the Legislative arm of the AAUASU) to make subsequent amendment through legislations in this regard.
We have resolved the basic administrative problems in the SJC and I hope the remnant constitutional problem would be getting rid of very soon.
Written by Lkite Samuel, Staff Writer
Edited by Lkite Raphael, Associate Editor
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