Nigerian human rights lawyer and lead counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Sir Ifeanyi Ejiofor, on Wednesday stated that history is kinder to those who defend justice than to those who merely accommodate power.
Ejiofor, in a statement titled “Wednesday Musings: When Justice Refuses to Bow,Two Landmark Judgments, Eight Years of Waiting, and a Resounding Triumph of the Rule of Law,” urged Nigerian courts to remain temples of justice rather than theatres of influence.
He expressed joy and satisfaction that, despite numerous challenges, Nigeria still possesses judicial officers who understand that justice is not a favour bestowed by the powerful but a constitutional obligation owed to every citizen.
He added that future generations of Nigerians must continue to find hope in a judiciary that understands that justice delayed must never become justice denied, stressing that the Constitution remains supreme over every office, institution, and individual.
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Recalling recent judicial victories, Ejiofor stated that courageous judges, unmoved by political pressure and undistracted by power, had reaffirmed that the courts remain the last hope of the common man.
“It was sometime in late 2022. I was seated in my Abuja office, deeply immersed in routine legal research, when an unusual visitor arrived.
“A modest, respectable, youthful-looking gentleman entered our chambers and insisted quite firmly that he would not leave until he had seen me personally. In keeping with our office protocol, my staff informed me of his presence and unwavering determination. Intrigued by his persistence, I instructed that he be ushered into my office.
“That gentleman was High Chief Dr. Christian Okwudili Akpata.
“What followed was a narration that was as troubling as it was familiar,a tale that has become all too common in our society, where merit often finds itself locked in an exhausting contest with vested interests.
“Chief Akpata informed me that he had been duly selected by his village, Umuifi Traditional Ward, as the Igwe-Elect of Akama-Oghe Town in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State. However, rather than allowing the collective will of the people to prevail, certain interests within the Town Union Executive embarked on a determined effort to impose their preferred candidate on the community.
“He further informed me that no fewer than eight legal practitioners had previously handled the matter without recording any meaningful progress.
“After satisfying myself through preliminary inquiries that he had duly settled the professional fees of all counsel who had previously represented him, I advised him to return home and remain calm. We accepted the brief, undertook a comprehensive review of the matter, effected the necessary amendments to the processes already before the court, and diligently prosecuted the case to its logical conclusion.” He narrated.
Ejiofor said history was made on Wednesday when the High Court of Enugu State, sitting in Enugu, delivered what he described as a landmark judgment.
“In an erudite, meticulously reasoned, and legally impregnable judgment, Honourable Justice E. M. Egumgbe, Ph.D., upheld the selection and election of High Chief Dr. Christian Okwudili Akpata as the duly elected and lawful DimEze IV of Akama-Oghe in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State,” he said.
According to Ejiofor, the matter had endured an extraordinarily chequered history for nearly eight years, traversing a labyrinth of litigation, uncertainty, delays, and political undercurrents. Yet, in the fullness of time, justice arrived,not hurriedly, not recklessly, but firmly and decisively.
“Therein lies the enduring beauty of the judicial process. Justice may occasionally travel at the pace of a tortoise, but when delivered by courageous judges, it lands with the force of thunder.
“Honourable Justice E. M. Egumgbe has once again demonstrated why the judiciary remains the final sanctuary of the ordinary citizen. His Lordship’s reputation for delivering sound, courageous, and intellectually robust judgments is neither accidental nor exaggerated. It is a reputation painstakingly earned through fidelity to the law and an unwavering commitment to justice, irrespective of whose interests may be inconvenienced.”he said.
Ejiofor further revealed that while Justice Egumgbe was delivering the historic judgment in Enugu, another remarkable judicial pronouncement was simultaneously unfolding at the Onitsha Judicial Division of the High Court of Anambra State.
“There, Honourable Justice C. C. Okaa delivered a landmark judgment in another matter involving our client, Rotech Group, a reputable estate development company.
“In a well-considered decision, the court nullified the purported revocation of the company’s Certificate of Occupancy by the state government and awarded damages against the government for the unlawful exercise of executive power.”he added.
He noted that the coincidence of the two landmark victories on the same day was more than symbolic.
“It serves as a powerful reminder that constitutional democracy survives not because governments possess power, but because judges possess the courage to tell governments when that power has exceeded its lawful boundaries.
“Perhaps the most profound lesson from today’s victories is that Nigeria still possesses judicial officers who understand that justice is not a favour bestowed by the powerful but a constitutional obligation owed to every citizen.”
Ejiofor therefore called on the Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, to give effect to the judgment by facilitating all lawful administrative processes necessary for the formal recognition and presentation of the Certificate of Office to His Royal Highness, High Chief Dr. Christian Okwudili Akpata, as the DimEze IV of Akama-Oghe.
“I respectfully beseech His Excellency, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, whose abiding respect for the rule of law and unwavering commitment to good governance have become defining hallmarks of his administration, to facilitate the implementation of this judgment.
“For eight long years, Akama-Oghe has been deprived of the full benefits, leadership, and representation associated with a duly recognised traditional institution. The time has now come for that unfortunate chapter to close.”he stated.
Reflecting on the significance of the judgments, he stated:
“As the curtains fall on this historic day, one truth shines brighter than ever: justice remains alive in Nigeria because there are still judges who refuse to surrender their conscience to intimidation, influence, sentiment, popularity, or power.
“The judgments delivered by Honourable Justice E. M. Egumgbe and Honourable Justice C. C. Okaa stand as eloquent monuments to judicial courage, intellectual industry, and fidelity to the judicial oath.
“Their Lordships have reminded Nigerians that the majesty of the judiciary lies not in the grandeur of courtrooms but in the courage of judges who dispense justice according to law, regardless of whose interests may be inconvenienced.
“May their example inspire other judicial officers across the Federation. May judges continue to remember that history is kinder to those who defend justice than to those who merely accommodate power.
“May Nigerian courts remain temples of justice rather than theatres of influence. May future generations of Nigerians continue to find hope in a judiciary that understands that justice delayed must never become justice denied, and that the Constitution remains supreme over every office, institution, and individual.
“Today, Enugu spoke.
“Today, Anambra spoke.
“More importantly, today, justice spoke.
“And when justice speaks with courage, the nation listens.
“To all my colleagues in chambers who were part of this historic moment, I extend my heartfelt gratitude and profound appreciation. Indeed, we return all glory, honour, and adoration to Almighty God for His unfailing grace, boundless mercy, and steadfast faithfulness. May His holy name be praised forever. Amen.”he added.
