What it means to bring accountability to judiciary in Africa — NOJ founder, Adelakun 

Jyde Adelakun, founder of the Nation of Justice, a non-governmental organisation, has explained how bringing accountability to the judiciary in Africa can bring about true democracy.

Speaking recently with journalists at an iftar and Community and Civic sensitization programme held at the National Mosque, Abuja, he noted that all Nigerians must be part of the solution and speak out to effect change by holding the bull by its horns. 

He added that Nigerians must ask for and demand accountability.

Adelakun stated that the event was held to raise awareness on civic education and support Muslims who are just waving goodbye to the holy month of Ramadan.

He noted that the organization prides itself as a vanguard of demanding accountability in public institutions like the judiciary, upholding democratic principles while engaging the citizens with civic education.

Adelakun further noted that the nonprofit organization has commenced humanitarian support for vulnerable citizens, especially women, people with disabilities, homeless and children.

He further added that the aid comes at a time when the West African nation is facing a deepening economic crisis and policy shift, which critics have described as unfavourable to the poor masses in the country. 

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Adelakun further said that the organisation is also aimed at enlightening people with the provisions of the law, their constitutional rights and duties, so that they know their places in the nation’s existence and in societies where they live.

“ The birth of Nation of Justice is as result of my years of experience and encounters that I have faced, which other Nigerians and different nationalities face in international troubles, particularly the stigma that has been placed upon Nigerians when you have a Nigerian passport or when they know you’re from Nigeria.

“Based on this experience, I wrote a letter to the United Nations Secretary-General, starting from 2022, which I continue to do repeatedly. I addressed the UN chief on how Nigerians have been treated and stigmatized with what’s going on.

“So basically, the birth of the organization is based on my own personal experiences and those of other Nigerians during their international travels or cross-border activities. 

“Moreover, most of these countries have offices in New York, but they call themselves the United Nations when, in actuality, they are not united in the way they treat one another. So, I made a complaint on behalf of Nigeria, to not only the UN, but also other international bodies, highlighting that Nigerians have been victimized in one way or another when traveling to Europe and some other places.

“In addition to that, my personal experiences in the United Arab Emirates, South Africa, and some European countries would not allow me to remain silent when people keep saying, ‘United Nations, United Nations, United Nations.’

“I’ve witnessed situations where judicial systems victimize Nigerians simply because they believe Nigerians are inferior, and other nationals have also fallen victim to such corrupt judicial practices.

“We have to be part of the solution and speak out to effect change by holding the bull by its horns. At the same time, we must ask for and demand accountability. Imagine having a judge in a position to decide your destiny, and that judge dislikes you or your ethnic background and bases their decision on that bias. Who then pays the price for that malpractice?

“This is a problem worldwide. There is no part of the world where judicial powers can be fully held accountable. They only provide provisions to lodge a complaint, but the person addressing those complaints is often the same judge.

“If it is truly a democracy, then people should be able to hold the judicial powers accountable. Hence, the Nation of Justice was founded in order to push for this, to make this happen. And how do we do it?”