A sacred ground

A court room properly so called is a sacred ground, as decisions affecting the lives and properties of millions are taken within the four walls of the court, for it is because of the presence of a law, that we do not resort to natural justice, and the court room is where these laws are tested and enforced. It is the court room through the Judges and Justices that safeguards the rights and obligations of the governed and the government.

The court room can be likened to Aso Rock for the Executive, or the hollowed chambers for the legislature. It is a place established and protected by the constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria, as such, it ought to be respected by all, at all times, even mobile phones are turned off or put on silence during court sessions, rowdiness/unruly behavior by lawyers at the Bar, or laymen in the gallery is considered contempt.

Sadly, even though the judiciary had lost its place as the last hope of the common man, it has now become a ridicule, an object of mockery to the common man, due to the recent video that went viral on the rearrest of Sowore by people suspected to be officers of the Department of State Security (DSS), what this means is that, even a sitting judge is at risk of being arrested while conducting judicial proceedings. Someone said, “The recent event has made us look like we have no laws in Nigeria”.

To my mind, the recent activity is an off-shoot of a country with a failing system, the system provides for the Rule of law, but lacks the infrastructural competence to enforce the Rule of law, (the use of infrastructure is not limited to physical building, but also personnel and modus operandi). A country with a system makes strong institutions over strong individuals, personalities do not dictate the tide of the country, rather the law takes dominance.

President Donald Trump, the current President of the United States of America is being investigated by an impeachment committee that is being televised to the public, and his staff are obligated to appear and say the truth, even though Trump is considered the most powerful man on earth for being POTUS.

The system works in such country, and so individuals are not more powerful than institutions irrespective of their positions.

Unfortunately, the reverse is the case in Nigeria, in our country personalities are stronger than institutions, some persons are even considered as De-facto president and vice president because of the influence they possess by being close to the seat of power, government agencies choose to obey court orders depending on which is favorable to them, those with political appointment are considered more equal than others, and the likes. To make matters worse, we discuss national affairs depending on the side of the fence one pitches tent, an APC loyalist will never see anything wrong with the actions of the government, and a PDP loyalist will never see anything right with the decisions of the government.

No matter how good an intention is, if the Rule of Law is not followed or adhered to the letter, then the harm to be occasioned is far greater than the good of that intention. Nigeria as it stands, has a dicey reputation and the actions of the Government and her agencies determines if the image of the country will keep plummeting down or rise from the ashes.

In summary, the courts of law in every part of the country are sacred ground and ought to be respected at all times, and if the government does not respect or protect the court, then what moral justification does it have to demand that its citizens respect the courts. Like the NBA President, Mr Paul Usoro, SAN said “if you don’t obey court orders, what moral justification do you have to tell people to obey your orders like payment of Tax”, we as a country must be careful the kind of precedent we lay for the future generation, and our judicial system ought to be respected and admonished for a safer Nigeria.

Godspeed!

The court room can be likened to Aso Rock for the Executive, or the hollowed chambers for the legislature. It is a place established

and protected by the constitution of the Federal republic of Nigeria, as such,

it ought to be respected by all, at

all times

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