Nigeria problems not institutional — LASU ex-VC

The immediate past vice chancellor of Lagos State University (LASU), Ojo, and Professor of Environmental Law, Olanrewaju Fagbohun, has said the huge abuse of rule of law and  socioeconomic problems Nigeria is battling with today should rather be traced to societal disorder and not the institutions.

He observed that there is great collective moral challenge and disengagement in the country as many people are quick to complain and even condemn actions and inactions of others while they themselves neglect their own roles or do worse things.

He said though rule of law is important and must be healthy and so also holding the leaders at all levels, especially in the political settings accountable for their actions, it is more fundamental for every Nigerian across status to always do the right things irrespective of who will be affected.

Fagbohun gave these perspectives at this year’s Alao Aka-Bashorun lecture organised recently by the Nigerian Bar Association(NBA), Ikeja branch.

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 sector including the judiciary oftentimes compromise ethical standards as we like bending rules to favour our selfish interests.

He said: “it is expected of everyone including those in the judiciary to always say the truth and to also do the right things for the sake of moving Nigeria forward.”

He said though leaders’ including in the developed countries such as the US always play double-standards when it comes to the rule of law as implementation direction are usually based on persons and the interest involved, radical leaders 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 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, describing him as a great lawyer, activist and man of integrity.

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 swapped on lawyers, especially females and young and upcoming ones among them, saying many of them dress indecently to courts and also lack decorum.

While urging them to embrace decency, she declared that there is no excuse for wrong things.

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