NBA-NEC Meeting: Governor Aiyedatiwa Has Prioritized Justice and Governance, Says Ondo AG
Return of NEC Meeting to Ondo State After Fifteen Years, a Testament to Legal Excellence and Commitment to Justice
The Nigerian Bar Association’s National Executive Council (NBA-NEC) meeting made a historic return to Ondo State after almost fifteen years, with the Honourable Attorney General of the state, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, OON, SAN, representing Governor Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa. The meeting, held on February 6th, 2025, at the International Cultural and Event Centre, The Dome, brought together key legal figures, including NBA President Chief Afam Osigwe, Justices of the Supreme Court and Court of Appeal, Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), and other distinguished professionals.
In his welcome address, Dr. Ajulo emphasized the importance of the NEC meeting as a platform for addressing crucial legal matters, reinforcing judicial independence, and promoting the rule of law. He described the event as more than just a gathering, but a chance to revitalize the professional camaraderie among legal practitioners and advocates for justice.
Dr. Ajulo praised Ondo State’s rich legal heritage, acknowledging its role in producing some of Nigeria’s most respected legal figures, including Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, the late Chief Gani Fawehinmi, SAN, and Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, who had further enhanced the state’s legal legacy.
He highlighted the transformative initiatives implemented under the leadership of Governor Aiyedatiwa aimed at improving access to justice. These reforms include the introduction of digital case management systems, the expansion of legal aid services, and the creation of an anti-land grabbing task force. Dr. Ajulo emphasized that Governor Aiyedatiwa is dedicated to ensuring every citizen of Ondo State benefits from the law, whether living within the state or abroad.
Dr. Ajulo also referred to a viral incident involving a monarch in Ogun State allegedly assaulting an Ondo State indigene, reassuring the gathering that Governor Aiyedatiwa had ordered an immediate investigation and justice for the affected citizen. This underscores the administration’s commitment to protecting all Ondo indigenes under the law, regardless of their location.
Additionally, the Attorney General reiterated the Governor’s efforts to foster a business-friendly environment through legal reforms aimed at promoting transparency, efficiency, and accountability. One such reform is the state’s land-grabbing law, which mandates that all property transactions in Ondo State must involve legal counsel; any transaction conducted outside this framework will be deemed invalid.
Dr. Ajulo called on members of the NBA-NEC to embrace their roles as custodians of justice and defenders of the constitution. He urged them to actively engage in the deliberations and ensure that the resolutions from the meeting result in concrete actions that strengthen Nigeria’s legal framework.
Concluding his address, Dr. Ajulo reaffirmed that the return of the NBA-NEC meeting to Ondo State after fifteen years is a powerful testament to the state’s unwavering commitment to the rule of law and judicial excellence.
