As Nigerian workers marked this year’s Workers’ Day on May 1, stakeholders in the nation’s judiciary converged on Abuja last Thursday to honour the President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, for his dogged commitment in transforming the court from obscurity to global limelight. AMEH EJEKWONYILO reports.
It was a gathering of legal minds across the length and breadth of Nigeria’s legal landscape as members of the Bar and Bench took turns to eulogise a man they simply described as a “worthy colleague”, owing to Justice Adejumo’s unparalleled commitment to the cause of building a virile labour law court in the country.
The occasion was the public presentation of a book in honour of Justice Adejumo.
The book titled: “Contemporary Issues on Labour Law, Employment and National Industrial Court Practice and Procedures”, had its foreword written by a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice James Ogebe, who described Adejumo as “a great fighter and achiever” in his capacity as the President of the Industrial Court.
Justice Ogebe further said: “When he (Adejumo) came in as President of the Court, the Industrial Court was regarded justly or unjustly as an inferior court of record.
“He fought doggedly to get the National Assembly to amend the constitution to make the court a superior court of record at par with the High Courts of the States and Federal High court.
“This was no mean achievement because of the difficulties associated with any amendment of the constitution which requires two thirds of the states of the Federation of Nigeria to endorse any amendment for it to be valid”, Justice Ogebe said.
In terms of the infrastructural development of the court and staff welfare, the retired Supreme Court Justice also said Justice Adejumo has not only raised the status of the court, “he has also improved the welfare of the judges and staff.”
“He has built many court complexes in several states of the federation for the use of the judges and staff.
“The court complexes are so well built with modern facilities and are the envy of other courts in Nigeria.”
On the content of the book, Justice Ogebe noted that the essays on various aspects of Industrial Law have vital topics on the subject of Industrial law in the country and recommended it for all practicing lawyers and law teachers as well as students.
He said Justice Adejumo deserved the honour.
In a similar vein, the Chairman of the of the occasion and Administrator of the National Judicial Institute, Justice Roseline Bozimo, described the honoree, Justice Adejumo as a worthy colleague who has made tremendous impact in the growth and development of industrial and labour law in Nigeria.
“We are celebrating a legal icon, Justice Adejumo for his contribution to the development of law and our labour law in particular within the Nigerian legal system.
“Upon assumption of office in 2003, he organised a stakeholders’ conference that addressed the prospects and challenges of the Nigerian disputes resolution system.
“His role has been exceptional and remarkable in the elevation of the court to a court of superior records in 2011”, Justice Bozimo said.
In corroborating Justice Ogebe’s earlier remarks on Justice Adejumo’s unwavering commitment to the elevation of the industrial court to a superior court of record, the Secretary to Council and Director of Administration at the Nigerian Law School, Mrs. Elizabeth Max-Uba, who read Adejumo’s profile at the occasion, said: “The Supreme Court in 2010, decided that the National Industrial Court of Nigeria was an inferior court of record.
“In his characteristic manner, however, Justice Adejumo took this morale-dampening development in his strides and pursued the amendment of the 1999 constitution with a historic zeal, passion and exemplary commitment.
“In 2010, the 1999 constitution was amended to establish the National Industrial Court of Nigeria as a court of superior record.
“Therefore, one cannot deny the fact this unassuming and extremely visionary and brilliant jurist has transformed the court from obscurity to global limelight”, Max-Uba said.
The book reviewer, Prof. Emeka Chianu who is a professor of Law at the University of Benin, said the articles and discussions contained therein are of the “in-depth reflection of the progress made by the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) under the effective leadership of Justice Adejumo.
Speaking to journalists, Prof. Chianu said there was need for specialised training for judges who are appointed to serve as judges of the industrial court.
He called for the continuous training of judges on the court’s Bench so as to equip them for the challenges of industrial disputes resolution in the country.
While responding to the various accolades poured on him, Justice Adejumo thanked the people who took their time to honour him, and urged Nigerians to endeavour to make a mark in whatever position they find themselves in order to be celebrated.
He, however, underscored the immense relevance of labour law in human existence, adding that it touches every aspect of human life.
Adejumo said: “Labour law deals with very aspect of human life. right from birth to death.
“As children are born, there are workers who attend to them as labourers. And thereafter, the child goes to school. When he or she graduates, they begin to search for jobs.
“When the job is secured, people may be queried or dismissed. Then they may run to the industrial court for the resolution of the dispute.
“Then at retirement, the law still applies. So, labour law is a part and parcel of human life”, Adejumo declared.
While assessing the teaching of labour law in Nigerian universities, Adejumo said: “I think the teaching and learning of labour law in our universities and the law school needs to be more attended to.”
Adejumo disclosed that “the quality of products from the universities has given the indication that a lot needs to be done.
He said that the industrial court on its part had provided some teaching materials for the faculties of law across the nation’s universities so that they could be acquainted with latest developments in labour law.
While praying for peaceful and harmonious labour relations in the country as workers mark the 2015 Workers’ Day, he expressed appreciation to those behind the successful presentation of the book.
The 357 page book is a compendium of essays in honour of Justice Adejumo.
The book was edited by Prof. Yemi Akinseye-George (SAN), Samuel Osamolu and A. O. Oluwadayisi.
The occasion was graced by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta and some Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN) among other dignitaries.
