American lawyer, social justice activist, and law teacher at New York University School of Law, Mr. Bryan Stevenson has cautioned that “exclusion of many from the rule of law is a massive threat to justice and democracy.”
Stevenson who was Lead Speaker during the second plenary session of the ongoing Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) stressed that lawyers’ words carry tremendous weight, and they should act with confidence, changing narratives through their personal sacrifices.
Speaking at the event tagged Access To Justice: Reality or unfulfilled expectation?, the social justice crusader encouraged lawyers to be instruments of change for the poor and marginalized in society, emphasizing the importance of recognizing human and people’s rights, particularly those of less privileged citizens.
Access to justice, Mr. Stevenson argued, holds immense significance as it:
- Changes discriminatory narratives.
- Alters the narrative of a civil society.
- Offers hope to the hopeless in a civil society.
Mr. Stevenson concluded with a powerful message, reminding legal professionals that hopelessness is the enemy of justice, as it erodes justice itself. Thus, he called upon lawyers to be beacons of hope.
Other notable speakers during the session include —Mr. Chukwuka Ikwuazom, SAN; Prof. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, OON, SAN; Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi and Mr. Duma Gideon Boko.
Prof. Joy Ngozi Ezeilo, OON, SAN ignited the discussion by raising a fundamental question as to whether equal access to justice can be achieved, given the unmet justice needs of Nigerians. She underscored the essential components of justice, emphasizing equal protection before the law, legal aid, effective remedies, and the necessary structures to make justice accessible. Key takeaways from her address included:
- Access to justice is a right, a duty that governments owe to their citizens.
- It encompasses access to information and legal assistance.
- It encompasses the right to court and legal representation.
- The NBA should play a pivotal role in ensuring accountability and human rights enforcement.
- Establishing funds for legal aid and partnerships with organizations to support the vulnerable.
- Sensitizing the public to respond to the violation of their rights.
Mr. Chukwuka Ikwuazom, SAN delved deeper into the concept of access to justice, emphasizing that it transcends mere access to the courts; it involves obtaining quality and affordable legal representation and substantive justice. He emphasized that a strong judiciary is important in guaranteeing access to justice and identified key challenges hindering access to justice in Nigeria, including:
- Inordinate delays in adjudication due to adjournments and antiquated recording methods.
- The filing of frivolous cases.
- A shortage of judges.
- Issues surrounding the appointment of judges.
- The quality of lawyers and judges.
- The disposition of legal practitioners towards litigation.
- Judicial inefficiencies, such as a judge unnecessarily deciding not to sit.
- Dependence on executive goodwill within the judiciary.
- Inadequate remuneration of judges.
- The specter of corruption within the judicial system.
Mr. Ikwuazom urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to continue its fight for a more efficient and accountable judiciary.
Mrs. Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi began by outlining the factors that hinder access to justice, such as fear of the unknown, lack of access to information, the absence of judicial precedent, and economic factors amongst others. In addressing gender-based violence, she offered solutions including:
- Active involvement in pro bono cases.
- Establishment of law firm branches in rural areas.
- Incentives for pro bono participation.
- Promotion of public interest litigation.
- Adequate rewards for lawyers engaged in pro bono services.
Mr. Duma Gideon Boko passionately emphasized that all lawyers should champion restorative justice, emphasizing that access to justice is often a matter of life and death for many. He urged legal practitioners to make access to justice their foremost priority, signifying justice as the beacon guiding their actions.
