Chidi Odinkalu, a legal professor and former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, responded to news of a magistrate’s peculiar actions during Dele Farotimi’s defamation case in a recent comment posted on his official X account.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Odinkalu shared his thoughts over the reported incident in Ekiti State.
“It is reported that in Ekiti, a Magistrate in the middle of delivering important rulings received a phone call notification and promptly adjourned to his chambers to answer it.
I am also told in Australia, they have lots of Kangaroos” Odinkalu wrote.
The comments come as a result of Farotimi’s legal battle with senior lawyer Afe Babalola over alleged defamation in Farotimi’s book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice, the book accuses Babalola of contributing to corruption in Nigeria’s judiciary.
Odinkalu’s statement has drawn attention to concerns about judicial integrity and professionalism in Nigeria, many have interpreted his statements as a critique of the general challenges facing the judiciary, including undue influence and a lack of accountability.
The magistrate’s alleged conduct, which involved adjourning proceedings to take a phone call, has been widely criticized as unprofessional and disrespectful to the court process, many argue that such actions end public confidence in the judiciary.
Farotimi’s case has become a symbol of the fight for accountability and reform in the legal system, his book has been both praised and criticized for highlighting corruption in the justice system.
The defamation petition filed by Babalola has raised questions about the balance between free speech and legal protections for reputations.
Odinkalu’s statements highlight the need for greater accountability of judicial conduct and reforms to restore public trust in Nigeria’s courts.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
