A former judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Justice Taiwo Taiwo, has described rule of law as catalyst for building a society.
He stated this during the special day of tribute in honour of the late Lt.-Gen. Donaldson Oladipupo Diya (rtd) and the unveiling of the Odogbolu Lawyers’ Forum, which took place on Wednesday in Odogbolu, Ogun State.
Taiwo said Nigeria would be a better place, if we put the rule of law in the forefront of our affairs and accept law and order as a pre-requisite.
He said: “All Nigerians matter regardless of place of birth.
“We can see that the rule of law is very wide and if its principles are well articulated and put to practice, there will be economic development, positive moral development and unity rather than ethnic rivalry and growth in our country.
“The task of ensuring that the rule of law is strictly observed should be the main concern of all stakeholders in states and communities.
“Infraction of the law is not healthy in a democratic set up. Law must not be nakedly seen to be broken. The impunity at which the government and the governed break the law these days is alarming.”
Taiwo added that under the rule of law, the state is subject to the law and governments should respect the rights of individuals under the law and provide means for their enforcement.
He also said that the main function of the judiciary is to protect the citizens from a wrong and arbitrary exercise of power, regardless of the source of that power.
The former judge noted that the power that is unchecked is one that corrupts, saying that it is important that the judiciary must be respected.
According to him, there must be trust and confidence in the entire system.
He, however, appealed to all security agencies and those that have power to investigate to respect the judges in the performance of their duties.
In his welcome address, Convener of the event, David Fayemi, said Odogbolu had over the years produced some notable iconic national giants in the life and history of the country.
According to him, in the history of the legal profession, Odogbolu has recorded some modest but remarkable strides to the envy of other towns of similar size and status in the country.
Meanwhile, the first son and spokesperson for Diya’s family, Simisola Diya, who spoke with The Guardian on how the family felt when he (Diya) surrendered himself to the military over alleged treason in December, 1997, said their father expressed unhinged faith in God.
According to him, his father’s integrity and profound honesty saw him through with the help of God.
