‘Justice Should Not Stop When It Rains’ — Osun NBA Chairpersons Tell Adeleke

-Lawyers demand urgent overhaul of court facilities across Osun

Chairpersons of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) branches in Osun State have called on Governor Ademola Adeleke to urgently address the deteriorating condition of court buildings across the state, warning that leaking roofs and inadequate facilities are disrupting judicial proceedings and undermining access to justice.

The lawyers said the condition of several judicial facilities had become a source of concern, with some courtrooms reportedly experiencing water leakage during rainfall, forcing interruptions and avoidable adjournments.

In a letter dated October 29, 2026, and received at the Office of the Governor on November 2, the NBA branch chairpersons urged Adeleke to prioritise the rehabilitation, renovation and modernisation of court buildings in Osogbo, Ikirun, Ilesa, Ile-Ife, Iwo, Ede and other parts of the state.

They warned that allowing court proceedings to be disrupted by rainfall was inconsistent with the demands of a justice system expected to operate effectively under the rule of law.

“It is unacceptable that court proceedings in a State governed by the rule of law should be dictated by the weather because the buildings in which justice is administered cannot adequately withstand rainfall,” the lawyers stated in the letter addressed to the governor.

They said the problems extended beyond leaking roofs to damaged ceilings, inadequate seating arrangements and other structural deficiencies that had made court facilities uncomfortable and unsuitable for effective judicial proceedings.

The NBA chairpersons stressed that the affected facilities included not only High Courts but also the Customary Court of Appeal, Magistrates’ Courts and District Customary Courts.

According to them, the condition of the lower courts was particularly concerning because of their role in resolving everyday disputes involving families, customary matters, civil claims and minor criminal cases.

They noted that residents, particularly those in rural communities and people with limited financial means, depended on these courts for accessible and affordable dispute resolution.

The lawyers also expressed concern over reports of water leakage in the chambers and offices of the Chief Judge and other judicial officers, warning that the situation could put official documents, court records and electronic equipment at risk.

They argued that inadequate judicial infrastructure could compromise the dignity of the courts, inconvenience court users and weaken public confidence in the administration of justice.

Beyond emergency repairs, the lawyers called for a broader reform of judicial infrastructure, including the introduction of electronic case management systems, digital recording equipment, computers and other facilities needed to improve court administration.

They urged Adeleke’s administration to conduct a comprehensive assessment of all court buildings in the state, identify urgent infrastructure needs and provide adequate funding for repairs and rehabilitation.

They also called for a sustainable maintenance programme to prevent renovated buildings and newly installed equipment from falling into disrepair again.

The lawyers recommended regular consultation among the state government, the judiciary and the NBA to establish priorities, assess progress and ensure that interventions addressed the actual needs of courts across the state.

“The Judiciary must not be left to administer justice in buildings that leak when it rains, courtrooms that cannot adequately accommodate proceedings, or offices that expose judicial officers and court records to preventable risks,” they stated.

They added that the state of judicial facilities was not merely an infrastructure concern but an issue directly linked to the government’s constitutional obligations and the ability of residents to obtain justice without unnecessary delays or hardship.

The letter was signed by Maruf Adediran, Chairman of NBA Osogbo Branch; Abdulkareem Azeez, Chairman of NBA Ikirun Branch; Emmanuel Ademola Gbadegesin, Chairman of NBA Iwo Branch; Adefunso Esan, Chairperson of NBA Ilesa Branch; and Olawoye Ayodele Festus, Chairman of NBA Ile-Ife Branch.

Copies were forwarded to the Chief Judge of Osun State, the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, and the President of the Nigerian Bar Association.