Two new judicial facilities in Ijebu North Local Government Area were unveiled on Monday by Ogun State Chief Judge Justice Mosunmola Dipeolu: a freshly constructed Customary Court in Oru-Ijebu and a rebuilt Magistrates’ Court Complex in Ago-Iwoye.
Community and traditional ruler-led activities were used to deliver the two courtrooms.
This occurred just one week after Dipeolu opened Idi-Oke/Igbesa’s specially constructed Multi-Door Courthouse.
Oba Saheed Ifalohun Odusanya, the Olu of Idi-Oke Kingdom, gave the courthouse in honor of his tenth coronation anniversary.
Dipeolu unveiled the rebuilt Magistrates’ Court Complex at Ago-Iwoye. Before the community decided to restore the facility instead of waiting for government involvement, it had deteriorated owing to age and weather.
“We see an architectural manifestation of a community’s resilient spirit and commitment to the rule of law, not just a building,” she stated.
She praised Oba Abdul-Rasaq Adenugba, the Ebumawe leader of Ago-Iwoye, for inspiring his people to support the project, calling it evidence that “the traditional institution remains a bedrock of societal development.”
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has,” she remarked, quoting American anthropologist Margaret Mead.
As Olabisi Onabanjo University’s host community, the Chief Judge further emphasized Ago-Iwoye’s wider commitment to the state judiciary, pointing out that the town has continuously provided the judiciary with qualified staff at both management and magisterial levels.
“Ago-Iwoye breathes life into our state’s legal system; it does more than just host a court,” he declared.
Dipeolu honored the Oloru of Oru-Ijebu, Oba AbdulRasaq Adebanjo, and other stakeholders, including Professor Taiwo Oshipitan and Justice I. A. Odugbesan, for their contributions to the project at the opening of a newly constructed Customary Court donated to the judiciary by the Oru-Ijebu community.
As the initial point of contact for many Nigerians with the legal system, she emphasized the special proximity of Customary Courts to common people.
They are frequently the courts that are closest to the public. They deal with topics that directly affect our inhabitants’ day-to-day lives, such as family conflicts, inheritance disputes, land disputes, and inquiries pertaining to customary law and traditions, she said.
“Liberty lies in the hearts of men and women; when it dies there, no constitution, no law, no court can save it,” she remarked, quoting American jurist Learned Hand.
The Chief Judge emphasized that a courthouse’s worth is determined by the behavior of its employees rather than by its physical layout.
Justice is administered by people, not by buildings. At Oru-Ijebu, he repeated a similar accusation made at Ago-Iwoye: “The success of this court will depend on the integrity, diligence, fairness, and professionalism of those entrusted with its operation.”
She called on court employees to pursue “justice with a human face,” citing the late Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, and urged the public and litigants to continue settling conflicts through legal channels.
Dipeolu expressed optimism that other Ogun State communities will be motivated to support the construction of judicial facilities in their respective areas by the dual commissionings.
