- Aiyedatiwa faces backlash over shocking State of Ondo’s Judiciary
- Court closure means no govt in place, says NBA
- Says least allocation received is N15B while Judiciary Arm is starved
In a powerful joint communiqué addressed to Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has urgently called for the full implementation of financial autonomy for the judiciary in Ondo State, asserting that the current state of the judiciary is in a “comatose state” due to the ongoing closure of all courts since June 13, 2025.
The communiqué, signed by the leadership of the five branches in the state—Onimisi Umar (Akure Branch), Omotola Odusola (Okitipupa Branch), Henry Akingbesote (Ondo Branch), Chief Kunie Ijalana (Owo Branch), and Omotan Ogunmodede (Ikare-Akoko Branch)—highlights alarming conditions that could lead to chaos if not addressed.
The NBA stated, “It is then, not an overstatement that a government is currently not in place in Ondo State due to the absence and visible collapse of the judiciary, which is the third leg on which the government stands.” They further warned that the lack of a functioning judiciary could precipitate a “state of anarchy, disorderliness, abuse of powers, and rising insecurity across the State.”
The ongoing strike by the Judiciary Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN) has been attributed to the state government’s failure to comply with constitutional provisions regarding financial autonomy for the judiciary, as outlined in Sections 81(3)(c), 121(3), and 162(9) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). The NBA emphasised that “the financial autonomy of the judiciary is indispensable for maintaining the independence and impartiality of the judicial system, which is a cornerstone of democracy and the rule of law.”
Referencing a Supreme Court ruling in the case of A.G. Abia State & Ors. v. A.G. Federation, the NBA noted that without financial autonomy, the independence of the judiciary remains “notional and illusory.” The communiqué pointed out that despite previous appeals, no funds have been released to address the deplorable conditions of the courts, which have left them in a state that is “unimaginably horrible.”
The NBA further illustrated the dire situation with vivid descriptions of the courts, stating, “For instance, the two High Court rooms in Okitipupa Judicial Division that were completely razed during the ‘EndSARS’ protest in 2020 have become a ‘zoo’ and a habitat for snakes, reptiles, and other wild animals.” They lamented that judges in the division are forced to “squat in the Magistrates’ courtroom interchangeably” just to attend to cases.
The communiqué also highlighted the lack of basic infrastructure, including inadequate electricity and damaged furniture, stating, “The roofing of all the High Courts and Magistrate Courts in the Division is embarrassingly bad and leaking.” With buckets being used to catch rainwater in courtrooms, the NBA asserts that the conditions are not conducive for judges, lawyers, or litigants.
Moreover, the NBA expressed concern over the judiciary being used for financial gain, stating, “The recent prohibition of manual filing of new suits and introduction of mandatory E-filing of Court processes managed by COMIS in Ondo State is a complete sham.” They noted that filing fees are now directed to the Ondo State Government, effectively turning the judiciary into a “revenue-generating agency.”
The financial disparity is compounded by the fact that the Ondo State Government has received at least N15 billion in allocations while the judiciary remains starved of necessary funds. The NBA emphasised, “It would be pretentious for the Government of Ondo State to claim that the failure to release the monies due to the judiciary is a result of a paucity of funds.”
In their conclusion, the NBA called for the immediate release of the allocated funds for the judiciary as per the 2025 Appropriation Law and reiterated the need for financial autonomy to ensure full judicial independence. They expressed hope for a positive response from Governor Aiyedatiwa within 48 hours of the communiqué’s receipt.
The NBA’s firm stance underscores the critical need for action to revive the judiciary in Ondo State and uphold the rule of law, warning that continued neglect could lead to dire consequences for governance and public order in the region.
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