NIGERIA CANNOT AFFORD ECONOMIC, POLITICAL AND JUDICIAL CRISIS- LAGOS TITLED CHIEFS
Lagos Three White Cap Chiefs
The Association of Lagos Titled Chiefs, a non-political association of honorary chiefs and prominent members of the Lagos Community who have served the State and the Nation meritoriously, has expressed concern about the erosion of self-introspection and self-regulation in the judiciary and legal profession. It called for more attention to ethical demands of integrity and credibility in the judiciary, especially how to effectively combat cases of corrupt practices in the Legal Profession, Bar and Bench.
The Association in a statement recently released by the President, Chief (Dr) Mrs. Iyabo Foresythe, noted that “as young men and women growing up in old Lagos, we recall the golden era of our judiciary when judgments of the courts were cited with approvals in foreign jurisdictions”.
The legal profession and justice system have known better days and the Association calls for strengthening the system of self-introspection and self-regulation in the legal profession and judiciary. The body also noted that the political atmosphere in the country especially between the two dominant political parties had been unduly charged, owing to the current judicial impasse. It posited that for Nigeria to enjoy the dividends of democracy and proper governance, the three arms of government must stand as a tripod, without any of the arms subjugating and intimidating the others. Seeking self-help instead of adjudication on matters must be discouraged, it added.
As key stakeholders in Lagos, we are seriously concerned about the entrenched culture of corruption in the country. The society had always looked upon the third arm of government, the judiciary, to ensure justice is not just done but seen to be done to all charged of criminal offences.
The core principles of the rule of law, which stipulates that no one is above the law, should be the compass driving the wheel of justice. We hold strongly that officers of the third arm of government should in their own character be beyond reproach, or at any rate should have so disciplined themselves that they are no breakers of the law. In the line of duty, time and time again they are robed to pronounce judgment on those who have offended against the law, rebuke the evil and support the good. We must all protect the reputation of the Nigerian Judges and save the judiciary, the last hope of the common man. The law must therefore apply whatever the situation to everyone equally and must be strengthened to fight our current greatest challenge, corruption- a threat to economic stability.
The Association also called for initiatives that will promote and nurture SMEs, supporting them to grow into large enterprises impacting highly on the economy as a foundation for the nation’s economic turnaround. Such initiatives will further impact on wealth creation, job creation and technology development. It further noted that given the right environment with these initiatives, Nigeria will witness an economic renaissance. It is in the interest of the nation to enhance the existing capacities and financially support the SMEs in all productive sectors, so they can create jobs for our teeming youth population.
The body also harped on the urgent attention to the development of Human Capital, as the most overarching requirement for global economic competition. We must promote education and skills that will allow the Nigerian child to compete formally in the 21st Century knowledge economy, build the next generation of leaders that will drive the economic growth and development of the nation into the future.
In the opinion of the Association, Nigeria cannot afford Economic, Political and Judicial Crisis, so we must all hold strongly to the respect for the rule of law, due process, separation of powers, independence of the judiciary and adherence to constitutional provisions. A political and judicial crisis at this period is a major distraction the nation cannot afford.
From the recent unfolding events, it is obvious that our institutions are too fragile with limited capacity to meet the basic demands of Nigerians for good governance and development. Strengthening these democratic institutions and having experienced operators in the democratic space are bulwarks against the complete breakdown of the current democratic space.
We must continuously engage our leaders and representatives, abhor corruption as it could be fatal to democratic institutions. It finally called on professional and political elites who benefit from the proceeds of corruption and shamelessly hide behind democracy to undermine its institutions to desist.
Chief Dr Mrs Iyabo Foresythe
President & Iya Abiye of Lagos
