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In continuation of our engagement with the President of the NICN, Honourable Justice Adejumo, His Lordship spoke to DNL Legal & Style on the various transitions and brilliant transformations and innovations at the NIC.
DNL L&S: Is my lord an advocate of streamlining being an advocate and solicitor in Nigeria?
It is a difficult thing as it is not our practice. In other jurisdiction a solicitor will not tell you he is an advocate, all he does, is to interview and review your case. But here in Nigeria, if we are to split it, we need to look at the purchasing power of the citizenry. Who will go to a solicitor first for advice before being directed to an advocate. I am not soliciting for the split but rather at the law school, there’s need to emphasize the duties of a solicitor, what are the conflicts and where did they meet. Everything boils down to curriculum and curriculum both at the law school and the university needs to be reviewed as we are not ripe for the splitting. We complain that junior lawyers are not well paid yes, but instead of streamlining its better to improve. First five years of every lawyer is struggle, one must not blame the lawyers entirely because once the system is faulty, you must sort it out from the root first.
DNL L&S: We have also learned that My Lord’s wife, Honourable Justice Adejumo is a Justice of the Court of Appeal. By Judicial hierarchy, Your Lordship’s wife is Your Lordship’s superior. Does this have any reflection at the home front?
Justice Adejumo: At the home front there’s no superiority. Any successful woman must kill her Ego when it comes to the home front. Whenever we are in the public I give her that respect as a justice of the court of appeal but after the event she becomes my wife and I become her husband. A woman who wants to be successful in the home front must kill her ego vice versa. It is my pride that she’s where she is. A man should not be inferior to his wife’s progress. My wife has been a very good woman and has never for once shown superiority both at home and even in the public. So there is harmony at home.
DNL L&S: How does my Lord relax?
Justice Adejumo: I don’t think I do. I resume office around 8am and close around 9pm to 10pm. I sleep around 1:am and wake up 5am routinely. I have not had siesta for over 20years I have been in the judiciary. Relaxation is a thing of the mind, at times I drive alone, put on my face cap and nobody recognizes me. I am a member of the Ikoyi Club but I can’t remember the last time I attended the meeting though I pay all my dues. I relax more when I am in Akure especially with my old school mates and go round my garden. One must not fraternize too much as this job is a delicate one. I like music a lot and listen to good old music like the Haruna Ishola’s.
DNL L&S: What is that thing my lord wishes to be remembered for as the president NICN?
Justice Adejumo: I will like to be remembered for a singular fact that, this court is a court every Nigerian believes that when he gets there, justice will not only be done but will be seen to have been done without fear or favour and in accordance with the constitution and justice, fairness and equity is followed.
DNL L&S: Will I be right to use the Latin Maxim Veni Vidi Vici (I Came, I Saw and I Conquered?)
Justice Adejumo: I have not conquered yet, I am conquering
DNL L&S: My Lords birthday is October 1st, if my lord is to make a wish, what will that wish be?
Justice Adejumo: My wish is for Nigeria to be a better place for all of us to live and thrive in harmony, egalitarian, peaceful society where everybody will be proud of being called a Nigerian.
DNL L&S: Thank you my Lord.
Justice Adejumo: Thank you for coming, we appreciate you.
Photo session with my Lord. L-R Mubarak Tijani (DNL L&S, Justice Adejumo, Ifeoma Peters,(DNL L&S) Chief Registrar National Industrial Court , Olurotimi Daudu and Kayode Komolafe (DNL L&S)
