The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ibadan Branch, has decried what it described as inadequate funding, neglect, and poor infrastructure affecting the judiciary in Oyo State, warning that the situation is undermining justice delivery at the grassroots.
Chairman of the branch, Mr. Ibrahim Lawal, raised the concern while receiving executives of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, who paid a courtesy visit to his office in Ibadan.
Lawal said the state of the judiciary in Oyo State remained “unimpressive,” noting that despite repeated appeals, critical challenges facing the justice sector had not been adequately addressed by the administration of Governor Seyi Makinde.
He particularly lamented the non-functional status of Rent Tribunals and Customary Courts, describing them as essential institutions for grassroots justice delivery.
“We have on several occasions appealed to the governor to address the challenges facing the judiciary, particularly the lower courts,” he said.
He added that the Customary Courts of Grade C had not been inaugurated since the current administration came into office, noting that such courts were vital to ensuring access to justice at the community level.
Lawal said the courts last operated under the administration of the late former Governor Abiola Ajimobi.
“It will be the joy of the NBA to see the justice sector in the state functioning effectively,” he added.
The NBA chairman also raised concerns over the welfare of magistrates, alleging that some do not have official vehicles, a situation he said compromises their dignity and independence.
“It is unacceptable that a magistrate who sits in judgment over cases may have to board public transport with litigants or even receive rides from persons with matters before the court,” he said.
Lawal warned that such conditions expose judicial officers to avoidable ethical risks, calling for urgent intervention.
He also decried the poor condition of court facilities across the state, particularly magistrates’ courts and the Customary Court of Appeal, many of which he said lack basic comfort and functionality.
The NBA chairman further revealed that electricity supply to the Customary Court of Appeal had recently been disconnected by the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) over unpaid bills, describing it as a reflection of systemic neglect.
Lawal also expressed concern over the state of the Ministry of Justice, alleging that some basic operational needs are currently being supported by private individuals.
According to him, the ministry’s generator was donated by a private benefactor, while its law library was refurbished through external intervention.
He said the situation extended beyond Ibadan, with courts outside the state capital facing even worse conditions, including poor transportation allowances and salary concerns.
While acknowledging some achievements of the Makinde administration in other sectors, Lawal said the judiciary had not received comparable attention.
“The bar will continue to advocate for both the bench and the public. We will continue to speak out until meaningful reforms are achieved,” he said.
Earlier, Chairman of the NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel, Mr. Yinka Adeniran, appealed for collaboration with the NBA in training journalists to improve coverage of judicial matters.
