In a stirring address at the Federal University Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), Chief Wole Olanipekun, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has urged legal practitioners to carefully read judgments before publicly criticising the judiciary.
Speaking during the third lecture series of FUOYE’s Faculty of Law, Olanipekun condemned the growing trend of lawyers using the media to attack the courts without fully understanding the legal reasoning behind judicial decisions.
Olanipekun, who also serves as a visiting professor of law at the university, emphasised the importance of engaging with the law in a thoughtful and constructive manner, especially when it comes to critiquing court decisions. “It is wrong for anyone to insinuate or hold the notion that justice is being denied in Nigeria,” Olanipekun said.
His remarks were delivered at a lecture titled Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice: Effective Strategy for Using Law as a Tool for Social Justice in Nigeria. The lecture highlighted how theoretical knowledge of the law must be translated into practical application to achieve the ultimate goal of social justice.
The former president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and ex-chairman of the Body of Benchers argued that while the legal profession, like any other, has its shortcomings, it is unjust to attack the judiciary without proper understanding of the issues at hand. “Some lawyers do not even read the judgments they are complaining about, yet they rush to the media to criticise the courts,” he lamented.
Olanipekun warned against what he described as attempts to undermine the judiciary, referring to it as an essential institution that must be protected. “We must stop pushing the judiciary to Golgotha,” he added, stressing that any grievances with court decisions should be channelled through appropriate legal means rather than through public media attacks.
The distinguished lawyer further explained that it is essential for lawyers to use platforms like law journals to express their critiques of judicial decisions. “Put your observations on paper, critique and criticize them in law journals, that is what it is,” Olanipekun said. He stressed the need for scholarly debate and critique rather than unsubstantiated attacks in the media.
Olanipekun made it clear that although there are occasional failings within the judicial system, it does not mean the entire institution is flawed. “There is no institution manned by man that does not have its own deficiency,” he remarked. He urged lawyers to handle their complaints with professionalism and respect for the system.
During his address, Olanipekun also discussed the gap between theoretical and practical applications of the law. He explained that while law students might easily memorise legal principles, applying them effectively in real-world legal scenarios is much more challenging. The former NBA president stressed that the knowledge of law must not remain confined to textbooks but should be translated into practical solutions for achieving social justice.
Drawing attention to the disconnect between law theory and practice, Olanipekun noted that this gap often results in difficulties when lawyers attempt to apply theoretical concepts in court. He stated that practical examples, such as civil procedure, criminal law, and human rights, were introduced into the curriculum at FUOYE to help bridge this gap. “Law is what differentiates man from animal. Without law, life will be ‘solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short,’” Olanipekun quoted Thomas Hobbes.
The senior advocate further stressed the importance of law in societal order and the need for ongoing efforts to improve the justice system. He also renewed his call for a new constitution for Nigeria, describing the current one as inadequate. “Our constitution is too pedestrian, and the earlier we do something about it, the better for us as a country,” Olanipekun said.
Olanipekun concluded his lecture by urging the students at FUOYE to stay focused and dedicated to their legal studies. He advised them to emulate the hard work and determination that has defined his own career. “With determination and hard work, you can make exploits in the legal profession,” he told the students.
The Vice Chancellor of FUOYE, Professor Abayomi Fasina, also praised Olanipekun’s contributions to Nigeria’s legal profession. Fasina highlighted Olanipekun’s appointment as the university’s first professor of practice as a testament to his legal expertise and his commitment to mentoring the next generation of lawyers.
“The lecture was inspiring and educational. We are proud to have him with us, and his contributions will serve as motivation for our students,” Professor Fasina remarked. He encouraged the students to take Olanipekun’s advice seriously and strive for excellence in their legal careers.
In his closing remarks, Olanipekun urged Nigerian lawyers to engage in more meaningful and scholarly discussions about the law. Rather than rushing to the media to criticise the judiciary, he called on his colleagues to build a more constructive and supportive relationship between the bar and the bench.
The event, which focused on law as a tool for social justice, was attended by students, legal practitioners, and academics. It provided a platform for discussing the challenges faced by the legal profession in Nigeria and the steps that can be taken to improve the system.
Olanipekun’s lecture underscored the need for professional integrity, ethical conduct, and a more thoughtful approach to legal critique in Nigeria. His words left a lasting impression on those in attendance, reminding everyone of the importance of upholding the rule of law and protecting the integrity of the judiciary.
