…laments deteriorating state of courtrooms across the country
…emulate this act, Gov Oyebanji
By Abdkareem Idris
The Chairman, Body of Benchers, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, on Thursday donated an ultra modern High Court complex to Ekti State Judiciary.
Olanipekun who lamented the deteriorating state of courtrooms and court facilities in most parts of the country said the the appalling situation needs an urgent attention from government and those concerned.
The legal Icon made the remarks on Thursday, in Ikere-Ekiti, at the commissioning of the of the new Court.
According to him, “the walls and roofs of a good number of our courtrooms are collapsing and caving in, basic facilities such as toilets are not available in a good number of courts all over the country”
“Water and electricity are lacking. In most instances, functional libraries are not available. A sad spectre or scenery if lawyers scrambling to secure seats with litigants or sharing the meagre available accommodation within the “sardine – packed” courtrooms menacingly intimidate judges, counsel and litigants”
Olanipekun, said the ambience of a typical or average courtroom should reflect an atmosphere of learning which judges and lawyers subscribe to, and are known for, rather than representing unkept theatre.
The Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, while inaugurating the High Court building, commended Olanipekun, describing the gesture by Olanipekun as unprecedented in the history of the state.
Governor Oyebanji extolled the giant strides of the former Nigeria Bar Association Chairman noting that he has contributed immensely to the growth of the state.
He tasked other well-meaning citizens of the state to emulate the legal icon by contributing their quota adding that his administration is committed to creating an enabling environment in the judiciary.
“The significance of this occasion can be found in the fact this is definitely unprecedented in the history of our State and nothing bears an eloquent testimony to this than the cream of the witnesses at today’s event.
“I therefore want to congratulate Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN and his wife on this occasion. Let me, on behalf of Ekiti State Judiciary and Ekiti State Government in general, express my profound appreciation to him for the generous donation of this magnificent edifice which is another remarkable contribution to his long list of such public-spirited donations to the society.