How to rekindle hope, get justice in Nigeria – Varsity don -By Adewale Kupoluyi

What Nigeria needs to do to keep hope alive and ensure that every citizen gets justice in our judicial system, have been identified. This piece of vital information was given in a keynote address, with the theme, “Is There Hope for Justice in the Present-Day Nigeria?”, delivered by Prof. Titilayo Oyenihun Aderibigbe, a renowned legal scholar with a distinguished career spanning over four decades.

Aderibigbe currently serves as a Professor of Law at the School of Law and Security Studies (LSS), Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State. Her expertise lies in the field of medical law, where she has made significant contributions through research, teaching, and professional engagements. Her scholarly pursuits have focused on a wide range of legal issues, with a particular emphasis on women’s rights, adolescent health, and arbitration. Her co-authored paper on “Investor-State Dispute Settlement”, has been recognised by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), as a valuable contribution to the organisation’s work. She is also a member of the Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON), among others.

The keynote speaker revealed that philosophers, from Aristotle to John Rawls, have grappled with the concept of justice as a cardinal virtue, the bedrock of a harmonious society. Yet, in our context, this ideal often feels more like a mirage than a reality. As Catholic lawyers, we are not merely technicians of the law; we are guardians of justice and hope. To us, much is given, and of us much will be required”. On the notion of justice in the scriptures, she copiously made biblical references that justice is not man made, but flows from the very nature of God Himself for it started from the Garden of Eden, and the events that transpired.

“As Catholic lawyers, are we doing as the Lord commanded us?”, she asked. The don added that Christ Himself places justice at the core of the law when He rebukes the Pharisees, saying the scripture has never faltered. It is replete with justice and hope for those who listen. As Catholic lawyers, we should, and must listen. We should stand heads and shoulders above the others in the way we practice the legal profession in whatever area we find ourselves”. The professor said, as lawyers, we are faced with the stark reality of dashed hopes when justice speaks. She brings to the fore, the recent and celebrated case of Tali Shani v. Chief Mike Agbedor Ozekhome and [2025] UKFTT 01090 (PC), where through alleged fraud, subterfuge and inconsistent evidence was an attempt to illegally transfer a high brow property in London, United Kingdom.

The don said that in our beloved Nigeria, justice often seems elusive. The ordinary citizen asks: “Why do the rich escape punishment while the poor languish in prison without trial? Why is corruption so entrenched that truth appears negotiable and justice for sale? Why do court processes drag endlessly, denying people timely justice? Indeed, as the saying goes, justice delayed is justice denied. Yet, Nigerians still yearn for fairness, for a system where right is upheld and wrong is punished”. The keynote speaker informed that in Yoruba philosophy, Ogun is the Yoruba god of justice; he is revered for his uncompromising approach to his responsibilities by quoting the respected philosophy scholar, Prof. Sopie Oluwole, saying justice for Ogun is often meted out in a swift, inflexible manner. The notion of justice is restorative and communal, emphasising social harmony and ethical character, which is encapsulated in the concept of the Omoluabi; meaning someone, who stands for the truth and gives hope.

She affirmed that without justice, there can be no peace, no progress, and no human dignity, saying St. Augustine once said, “Remove justice, and what are kingdoms but great robberies?” This description fits too well in our Nigerian context, where public office is too often treated as an opportunity for plunder. She added that true progress is not measured by a country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) figures, oil revenues, or skyscrapers, but by how society treats its weakest members and that, if Nigeria must progress, then justice must be more than a slogan; it must be the lived experience of the people. The don admonished all not to surrender to despair. This is because the hope for justice in Nigeria lies not only in systemic reforms, but in the transformation of hearts and minds, especially the hearts and minds of those entrusted with the administration of law and justice.

In the final analysis, the keynote speaker affirmed that hope lies not in an abstract system, but in each one of us, the people who embody the system. It lies in our commitment to integrity, our refusal to be complicit in injustice, and our willingness to be a voice for the voiceless. The hope for justice in Nigeria is in every Catholic lawyer, who chooses to reject a bribe, who does not unnecessarily seek adjournments, who works diligently on a pro bono case for the poor, who advises their clients with ethical conviction, and who advocates for judicial reform. Aderibigbe said ‘yes’, there is hope for justice, only if men and women of conscience, guided by faith and reason, rise to their calling. Yes – if Catholic lawyers embody the truth that justice and peace shall embrace. And yes – if we believe that with God, nothing is impossible. “Let us then leave this gathering not with resignation, but with renewed commitment, to be lawyers of faith, apostles of justice, and ambassadors of hope in Nigeria”, the professor said.

Earlier, the thanksgiving Mass was held, which had as Chief Celebrant, the Catholic Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Ibadan, Most Rev. (Dr.) Gabriel ‘Leke Abegunrin, who was assisted by Bishop Simon T. Faddoul of the Maronite Catholic Eparchy of the Annunciation; representatives of Bishop Emmanuel Badejo of Oyo Diocese, Rev. Fathers John Irekiigbe, Social Communications Director, and Raphael Akinyemi; NACL Chaplain in Ibadan Archdiocese, Very Rev. Fr. Joachim Akee; Parish Priest of the Host Parish and his Assistant, Rev. Fr. Francis Awotoye and Rev. Fr. Peace Jemibor, respectively; as well as the Editor of the Catholic Weekly Independent, Rev. Fr. Peter Ibimiluyi and the Parish Priest of St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Apata, Rev. Fr. Francis Adedigba.

At the occasion was the blessing and distribution of sacramental to the lawyers; the commencement of the new legal year; and welcoming of new wigs into the profession; while the Vice President of the group, Mrs. Adeola Ige Adeleke welcomed all on behalf of the President, Mr. Michael Agbolade and Chairman, Planning Committee, Mr. Williams Tijani. After the keynote address was a 3-member panel discussion made up of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Secretary, Very Rev. Fr. Richard Omolade; Chief of Staff, Justice, Development and Peace Commission (JDPC), Ibadan, Mrs. Adenike Ibitara; and Director, Justice Aderemi Annual Lecture Series (JAALS), Dr. Tolu Aderemi.

In his contribution, Hon. Justice Peter Ige (Rtd) had described justice as a sense of what is right and wrong, decried the lack of adequate judges in the country and appealed to the government to inject more funds more on infrastructural and manpower development. Justice Ige, who is also the NACL Patron in the Archdiocese, appealed to lawyers to advocate for time-line for civil cases, the same way there is time-line for electoral cases. At the occasion, St. Thomas More Awards were conferred on three distinguished recipients, namely: Dr. (Lady) Patricia Ubiaza-Eze in recognition of her dedication to service and contributions to justice; late Very Rev. Fr. Ezekiel ade Owoeye (Posthumous) in recognition of his exemplary contribution to justice and humanity; Mr. Israel Batimehin for his outstanding commitment to the cause of justice and common good.

This year’s event featured the Jubilee of Hope, Day of Justice celebration, as declared by His Holiness, Pope Francis; the launch of a booklet titled, “Legal Guide for Catholic Faithful”, a practical resource package, compiling insights from the association’s legal clinics that touch on people’s lives in a way that aligns with both civil law and Catholic values. Sir Thomas More was venerated in the Catholic Church as Saint Thomas More, an English lawyer, judge, author, social philosopher, statesman, and theologian, is the Patron Saint of NACL, whose membership is open to qualified and enrolled lawyers, who are members of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), solicitors and advocates of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, and of the Catholic faith.