Convener of the Support for Lower Courts, Mr Bayo Akinlade has described as disrespectful, reference to Customary Courts in the country, as ‘Inferior courts’.
By Sandra Umeh
Convener of the Support for Lower Courts, Mr Bayo Akinlade has described as disrespectful, reference to Customary Courts in the country, as ‘Inferior courts’.
Akinlade said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Lagos.
According to him, customary courts are a grassroot court that brings justice and protects the people, at the grassroot level.
Speaking further, he stated that these courts were accessible to all citizens, irrespective of class distinction.
According to him, just as the customary courts are not inferior, so are the judges who preside in these courts, not inferior.
Akinlade, then sued for better narrative and description of these courts, by both members of the bar and bench, so as to preserve its reputation in the eye of the public.
“Customary Courts are not for the poor or low income citizens alone, this is a gross misconception; they are for everyone.
“In my view, calling these courts inferior or lower, is a fundamental problem of how these courts are perceived by even members of the legal profession,” he said.
Akinlade noted that the description by the constitution, of the Magistrates’ and Customary Courts as lower courts, created the impression that these courts were for lower people.
He described the development as being a wrong perception to dwell on, since they were merely a level of court, meant for the grassroots.
“The customary courts are simply a third tier court for the local governments, established to ensure that the rule of law and justice is upheld within the communities.
“It is not inferior in any way to courts of records, because the customary courts are also actually courts of records,” he stated.
Akinlade also faulted the popular notion that because the customary courts were lowest in the hierarchy of courts, lawyers who presided as judges there, were also inferior.
“This notion is absolutely appalling and disrespectful, especially from the point of view that lawyers serving in the higher courts often have this distorted view.
“Many customary court judges are older at the bar than some higher court judges, while some are more exposed and experienced, than some higher court Judges,” he said
He therefore urged the legal community to eschew conduct capable of undermining the powers of customary courts and its ability to impose sanctions.
According to him, since the local governments have achieved a good level of autonomy, it is important for the judiciary to also consider a liberation of the customary courts. (NAN)
