How we are bringing accountability to judiciary in Africa
Our Reporters For a while, a non-profit organisation, Nation of Justice (NOJ), has started humanitarian support for vulnerable citizens, especially women, people with disabilities, homeless and children. The aid comes
Our Reporters
For a while, a non-profit organisation, Nation of Justice (NOJ), has started humanitarian support for vulnerable citizens, especially women, people with disabilities, homeless and children.
The aid comes at a time the West African nation is facing economic crisis and policy shift, which critics have described as unfavourable to the poor Amid this, NOJ’s assistance has moved from the urban cities like Abuja and Lagos to hard-to-reach areas in the conflict-torn North, including cross borders, into other parts of Africa.
Beyond donation, the organisation prides itself as a vanguard of demanding accountability in public institutions like the judiciary, upholding democratic principles while engaging the citizens with civic education.
The founder, NOJ, Mr. Jyde Adelakun, also a philanthropist and business tycoon. in this interview, speaks to reporters at this year’s Iftar community and civic sensitisation programme, organised by the NGO, at the National Mosque, Abuja. The Nation was there.
Mr. Adelakun, popularly known as Maleyccah. An oil marketer par excellence with years of experience sits on the leadership at TOF Companies.
The event was held to raise awareness on civic education and support religions, including Muslims, who have just waved goodbye to the holy month of Ramadan.
Reason for NOJ?
The birth of Nation of Justice (NOJ) is as a result of my years of experience and encounters, which other Nigerians and different nationalities have faced (and yet facing) in international travels, particularly the stigma that has been placed upon Nigerians when you have a Nigerian passport or when they know you’re from Nigeria.
Advertisement
300x250
Based on this experience, I wrote a letter to the United Nations Secretary-General, starting from 2022, which I continued to press, raising complaints on how Nigerians have been treated and stigmatised among the so-called United Nations.
So, basically, the birth of the organisation is based on my experiences and those of other Nigerians and victimised citizens of other nations during their international travels or cross-border activities.
Moreover, most of these countries have offices in New York, but they call themselves the United Nations when, in fact, they are not united in the way they treat one another.
So, I made a complaint on behalf of Nigeria to, not only over Nigerians, but also other victimised nationalities, highlighting that Nigerians have been victimised when travelling to Europe and some other places.
In addition, my experiences in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), South Africa, and European countries would not allow me to remain silent when people keep saying, “United Nations, United Nations, United Nations.”
I’ve witnessed situations where judicial systems victimise Nigerians simply because they believed Nigerians are inferior, and other nationals have also fallen victim to such corrupt judicial malpractices.
Battle against corruption
Yes.Impartiality is something that should be upheld in judicial houses, but it often is not. So, how do we bring about change?
We have to be part of the solution and speak out to effect change by holding the bull by the horns. At the same time, we must ask for and demand accountability. Imagine having a judge who decides your destiny, and that judge dislikes you or your ethnic background and bases his decision on that bias.
Focus
This is a problem worldwide.There is no part of the world where judicial powers can be fully held accountable.They only provide provisions to lodge a complaint, but the person addressing those complaints is often the same set of judges.
Advertisement
300x250
When you look at democracy, you see loopholes that people manipulate to abuse judicial power.That’s why the system always directs you to go for an appeal.
If it is truly a democracy, government of the people by the people and for the people, then people should be able to hold the judicial powers accountable. Hence, the Nation of Justice was founded to push for this, to make this happen.
We will enlighten people on the provisions of the law, their constitutional rights and duties, so that they know their places in the nation and in societies where they live, and that’s the reason we are here.
Level of work
Read Also: NSW will make Nigeria competitive in regional, global trade, says Edun
The Nation of Justice cannot be a power on its own because a tree cannot make a forest, so to gather the manpower, we have to bring in people that are standing and seeking for betterment and we enlighten them. Once they understand their values and what they have been missing, that is when they can demand accountability.
I believe, like what the scriptures say: when the truth hits your ears, you will know the difference. When you taste the water that’s pure, you will know the difference from the impure water. So, when this happens, we gather people to harness manpower. We are doing this in South Africa, and in my country too, Nigeria.
Advertisement
300x250
When that manpower is there, then we can do a lot. So that when they are called upon, the people that will join the wave, it is important for them to understand who they are and where they live and what surrounds them, and their rights and duties as well. Because you may have rights but you also have responsibilities to make things happen.
Driving force
I can’t express my feelings, to be honest. I just do as I am guided. When I was walking here and I looked to my right side, I saw a lot of people sitting down and something in me says, oh, look beyond what you see and do what you’re guided to do; In that call, I won’t be able to express how I feel, but I can only say what I was told to do and that’s what I’m doing.
Timing of delivery
Islam, Christianity, among other religions, did not get known in silence, they say, go out there and preach and that’s how people get knowledge of these religions.
So, for us to do the same, we start from somewhere and believe that the Eid is a perfect time. We will do this whether it is Jummah, its proper timing, or even on Sunday when there are Christians gathering or any available place.
Beyond helping people who are struggling financially with our assistance, we are bringing up a scholarship programme for students.
