Justice Olamide Folahanmi Oloyede was in the news last year when
she forwarded a petition to the Osun State House of Assembly
calling for the impeachment of the state governor, Mr Rauf
Aregbesola. The petition generated controversies, which pitted her
against the Osun State government. Eventually, the National
Judicial Council (NJC) recommended her retirement. In this
interview by Oluwole Ige, she said, among other things that her
love for truth informed her position on issues. Excerpts:
You are one of the major stakeholders in the judiciary.
Are you not worried about the delay in the dispensation of justice,
especially in civil and criminal matters in Nigeria?
Every Nigerian is a major stakeholder in the administration and
dispensation of justice in Nigeria. You may feel today that what is
my interest in justice, but tomorrow, you never can tell what will
happen. A little while ago, I was sitting, presiding over cases,
but today I have a matter in court. That is why every Nigerian must
be concerned about justice. I am also equally concerned about the
slow pace of administration of justice. But, that is not
peculiar.
Don’t we even say that the wheel of justice of God grinds
slowly, but it grinds exceedingly fine? If God is slow, judicial
officers are, but human beings and we don’t even have the apparatus
to work with. You could see the difference even between the Federal
High Court of Nigeria and the state High Court, in terms of the
tools they have to work with. Look at what transpired recently,
something that could be settled under a month had dragged for
almost two years.
What is that?
Please, I don’t want to go political. That’s why I insist that
only people with the courage to dispense justice without fear or
favour, should be appointed as justices. If you say you are a
judge, you should be standing in duty for the Almighty, who is the
ultimate judge. We should always have that at the back of our
minds.
You said that you were not retired, is it because of the
case you instituted against the NJC over your compulsory retirement
or what is the latest?
The matter is before the court and you know we are not allowed
in law to make any comment on it. I have absolute confidence in the
judiciary and my confidence in the Nigerian judiciary is unshaken.
The judiciary proved themselves yesterday (Wednesday) that they
stand for substantial justice. When I was going to court, everybody
was asking that what is your hope? And that this people
control the state and the Federal Government. I said I don’t care
and that it doesn’t matter to me because I have firm confidence in
the justice of the Almighty and in the judiciary of Nigeria.
Why are you so passionate about Osun State?
I’m a thoroughbred Osun State indigene. My mum comes from Ibokun
axis of Ijesaland and my father is from Ilesa- Igbodi- Agbetu- Moro
axis. So, I am a thoroughbred Ijesa woman .
But some people are of the view that you have developed
a kind of hatred for Aregbesola and that was what informed your
antagonistic posture to his government, regarding the call to
impeach him and his deputy?
They don’t know me. I am a cross bearer and my first love is the
love of God. God sent his son, Jesus Christ, who told us that there
is only one way I can believe that you love me is only if you love
your neighbour. It is only when you love your neighbour that I
(Jesus) and my father can come and make our abode with you.
When you came in here, did you not see the sign of peace? The
prince of peace is here and his presence is with me. How can I
hate? I don’t know how to hate. I cannot harbour hate in my soul
because hate and love cannot go together. I don’t hate Aregbesola,
but I chastised him. It is even scriptural and in the Yoruba
parlance, they usually say “Omo ti baba ba fe lon bawi”, meaning (A
father usually chastise the son that he loves).
Are you now saying that you like
Aregbesola?
I am his best friend, if only he knew it. Taking the step that I
took, I was conscious of the fact that it would have repercussions,
but I had to summon the courage to go ahead because of the best
interest of the people of Osun and even in his own interest. I told
him the truth despite the fact of the dire consequences.
Aregbesola should consider me his best friend, even though I
told him the truth. If I lie to him and say Oga, you are the best
and the ultimate, I could get favours from him. But, I am not like
that. I have sworn to uphold and live for the truth eternally. So,
I would not deceive anybody. It is not worth it. I know that
whether I live 100 years or 1000 years, I would die. Do you know
how long this world has been in existence?
Have you ever met Aregbesola physically since your sharp
criticism of his government?
I met His Excellency during the coronation of Oluwo of Iwo, Oba
Abdulrasheed Akanbi and I greeted him respectfully.
Did he respond to your greetings?
No.
Would you greet him again if you meet him?
Why won’t I greet him? It is automatic for me to greet because
that was the way I was raised. I can no longer change it. It is
inherent and part and parcel of my nature
What do you think is the major problems, confronting the
nation’s judiciary?
The problem with the nation’s judiciary is the problem with
every aspect of the nation, which bothers on quality control. The
process by which we elect our leaders, the kind of leaders we elect
are all fraught with problems. Generally, the process of appointing
judicial officers across board and other appointments in the nation
can be improved upon.
Last week Saturday, there was an election in some parts
of Osun State, precisely Osun West Senatorial District. At the end
of the poll, the ruling party, APC was able to win in one local
government out of 10 local governments, making up the district.
What is your view on the election?
Life is a school, we learn everyday and we pursue a cause for a
time. The government of the day from day one is preparing for
election. When there is an election and whichever party one belongs
to is voted into office and people celebrate, I don’t think that is
the time to celebrate. When you finish your cause or tenure, you
celebrate like Apostle Paul said, “you are glorified.” Electoral
result is an indication of whether the people are satisfied with
the cause you have taken. However, it is never too late to make
amends. You can change your style.
tribuneonlineng
Justice Olamide Folahanmi Oloyede was in the news last year when
she forwarded a petition to the Osun State House of Assembly
calling for the impeachment of the state governor, Mr Rauf
Aregbesola. The petition generated controversies, which pitted her
against the Osun State government. Eventually, the National
Judicial Council (NJC) recommended her retirement. In this
interview by Oluwole Ige, she said, among other things that her
love for truth informed her position on issues. Excerpts:
You are one of the major stakeholders in the judiciary.
Are you not worried about the delay in the dispensation of justice,
especially in civil and criminal matters in Nigeria?
Every Nigerian is a major stakeholder in the administration and
dispensation of justice in Nigeria. You may feel today that what is
my interest in justice, but tomorrow, you never can tell what will
happen. A little while ago, I was sitting, presiding over cases,
but today I have a matter in court. That is why every Nigerian must
be concerned about justice. I am also equally concerned about the
slow pace of administration of justice. But, that is not
peculiar.
Don’t we even say that the wheel of justice of God grinds
slowly, but it grinds exceedingly fine? If God is slow, judicial
officers are, but human beings and we don’t even have the apparatus
to work with. You could see the difference even between the Federal
High Court of Nigeria and the state High Court, in terms of the
tools they have to work with. Look at what transpired recently,
something that could be settled under a month had dragged for
almost two years.
What is that?
Please, I don’t want to go political. That’s why I insist that
only people with the courage to dispense justice without fear or
favour, should be appointed as justices. If you say you are a
judge, you should be standing in duty for the Almighty, who is the
ultimate judge. We should always have that at the back of our
minds.
You said that you were not retired, is it because of the
case you instituted against the NJC over your compulsory retirement
or what is the latest?
The matter is before the court and you know we are not allowed
in law to make any comment on it. I have absolute confidence in the
judiciary and my confidence in the Nigerian judiciary is unshaken.
The judiciary proved themselves yesterday (Wednesday) that they
stand for substantial justice. When I was going to court, everybody
was asking that what is your hope? And that this people
control the state and the Federal Government. I said I don’t care
and that it doesn’t matter to me because I have firm confidence in
the justice of the Almighty and in the judiciary of Nigeria.
Why are you so passionate about Osun State?
I’m a thoroughbred Osun State indigene. My mum comes from Ibokun
axis of Ijesaland and my father is from Ilesa- Igbodi- Agbetu- Moro
axis. So, I am a thoroughbred Ijesa woman .
But some people are of the view that you have developed
a kind of hatred for Aregbesola and that was what informed your
antagonistic posture to his government, regarding the call to
impeach him and his deputy?
They don’t know me. I am a cross bearer and my first love is the
love of God. God sent his son, Jesus Christ, who told us that there
is only one way I can believe that you love me is only if you love
your neighbour. It is only when you love your neighbour that I
(Jesus) and my father can come and make our abode with you.
When you came in here, did you not see the sign of peace? The
prince of peace is here and his presence is with me. How can I
hate? I don’t know how to hate. I cannot harbour hate in my soul
because hate and love cannot go together. I don’t hate Aregbesola,
but I chastised him. It is even scriptural and in the Yoruba
parlance, they usually say “Omo ti baba ba fe lon bawi”, meaning (A
father usually chastise the son that he loves).
Are you now saying that you like
Aregbesola?
I am his best friend, if only he knew it. Taking the step that I
took, I was conscious of the fact that it would have repercussions,
but I had to summon the courage to go ahead because of the best
interest of the people of Osun and even in his own interest. I told
him the truth despite the fact of the dire consequences.
Aregbesola should consider me his best friend, even though I
told him the truth. If I lie to him and say Oga, you are the best
and the ultimate, I could get favours from him. But, I am not like
that. I have sworn to uphold and live for the truth eternally. So,
I would not deceive anybody. It is not worth it. I know that
whether I live 100 years or 1000 years, I would die. Do you know
how long this world has been in existence?
Have you ever met Aregbesola physically since your sharp
criticism of his government?
I met His Excellency during the coronation of Oluwo of Iwo, Oba
Abdulrasheed Akanbi and I greeted him respectfully.
Did he respond to your greetings?
No.
Would you greet him again if you meet him?
Why won’t I greet him? It is automatic for me to greet because
that was the way I was raised. I can no longer change it. It is
inherent and part and parcel of my nature
What do you think is the major problems, confronting the
nation’s judiciary?
The problem with the nation’s judiciary is the problem with
every aspect of the nation, which bothers on quality control. The
process by which we elect our leaders, the kind of leaders we elect
are all fraught with problems. Generally, the process of appointing
judicial officers across board and other appointments in the nation
can be improved upon.
Last week Saturday, there was an election in some parts
of Osun State, precisely Osun West Senatorial District. At the end
of the poll, the ruling party, APC was able to win in one local
government out of 10 local governments, making up the district.
What is your view on the election?
Life is a school, we learn everyday and we pursue a cause for a
time. The government of the day from day one is preparing for
election. When there is an election and whichever party one belongs
to is voted into office and people celebrate, I don’t think that is
the time to celebrate. When you finish your cause or tenure, you
celebrate like Apostle Paul said, “you are glorified.” Electoral
result is an indication of whether the people are satisfied with
the cause you have taken. However, it is never too late to make
amends. You can change your style.
tribuneonlineng
Read more https://nairalaw.com/i-dont-hate-aregbesola-i-only-chastised-him-justice-oloyede/