The immediate past Vice-Chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, and Professor of Environmental Law, Olanrewaju Fagbohun, has said the huge socio-political and economic problems Nigeria is battling with today should rather be traced to societal disorder and not institutional persecutors.
He observed that there is great collective moral challenge and disengagement in the country as many people are quick to complain and even condemn the actions and inactions of others while they themselves neglect their own roles or do worse things.
He said that even though the rule of law is important and must be healthy, and so is holding the leaders at all levels, especially in political settings, accountable for their actions and inactions, it is more fundamental for every Nigerian across status to always do the right thing, irrespective of whether such actions will be affected either positively or negatively.
He pointed out that what happens, for example, in political governance, where the rule of law is being violated anyhow and corruption is the order of the day, is a reflection of society in general.
Fagbohun gave this thought and perspective at this year’s Alao Aka-Bashorun lecture organised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja branch, last week.
The event, which was part of the activities of the 2024 Law Week of the branch, has “Public Governance in Troubled Times: Safeguarding the Rule of Law in Nigeria” as the theme.
According to Fagbohun, many of us Nigerians, both in the public and private sectors, including the judiciary, oftentimes compromise ethical standards as we like bending rules to favour our selfish interests.
He said it is expected for everyone, including those in the judiciary, to always say the truth and also do the right things for the sake of moving Nigeria forward.
He said even though leaders, including those in developed countries such as the US, always play double standards when it comes to the rule of law, as implementation direction is usually based on persons and the interests involved, radical leaders, with the support of many others, can change the narrative.
He pointed out that Nigeria has great potential and the judiciary has a great role to play in the project of fixing the country, as, according to him, once the judiciary is healthy and effective, the job of greater Nigeria will be easier.
Fagbohun, however, commended the NBA Ikeja branch for coming up with the annual lecture in honour of the late legal luminary and activist, Alao Aka-Bashorun, who passed away 19 years ago.
He eulogised Alao Aka-Bashorun’s virtues, describing him as a great lawyer, activist, and man of integrity.
The don, whose lecture was titled: “Public governance: Nigeria’s collective moral disengagement and the rule of law,” said the late Aka-Bashorun made a great impact not only in the judiciary but also in humanity and that his legacy would continue to be a guiding light to many generations.
In her remarks at the event, Justice Abiola Soladoye from the Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Court, Ikeja, who chaired the occasion, also acknowledged the great virtues and huge contribution made by the late Aka-Bashorun to the judiciary, especially in the pursuit of justice and equity.
She, however, decried the poor adherence to the rule of law in the country today.
She said indeed, there is a lack of discipline and moral and ethical standards in the judiciary generally, urging everyone in the profession to go back to the basics and be alive to their respective responsibilities so as to move the profession forward.
Mrs Soladoje, however, swapped on lawyers, especially females and young and upcoming ones among them, urging them to embrace decency and decorum, especially in their dressing to courts and other public places.
While declaring that there is no excuse to do wrong things, the justice commended the guest speaker as well as the organiser of the event, saying the impact of the annual lecture would be difficult to quantify.
Also speaking, the son of the honoree, Mr Segun Aka-Bashorun, expressed deep appreciation on behalf of the family, saying he particularly cherishes the annual lecture as he looks forward to it every year.
Mr Aka-Bashorun argued that one of the major problems facing many Nigerians, especially in political governance, is a lack of contentment
He charged the bar to keep inculcating the right culture in the younger and future generations, even as he asked them to also join other Nigerians who want the local government autonomy to campaign towards its reality.
He said that based on his experience and knowledge as a former vice-chairman of a local government in Lagos State, he is convinced that local government autonomy is the only way to bring meaningful development down to the grassroots of the country.
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