The Nigerian Judiciary is the most vibrant judicial system in all of West Africa. The Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo SAN, GCON, affirmed this and more as LawPavilion in partnership with the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) celebrated the outstanding efforts and contributions of the Judiciary to democracy and national development in the maiden edition of “WORDS IN GOLD” which held on Tuesday, July 12, 2016, at the Sheraton Abuja Hotels in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
The “WORDS IN GOLD” Awards, according to Prof. Adekunle, Director General of Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS), is a “remarkable endeavour that will continue to shed light on the invaluable contributions that have gone unnoticed and uncelebrated in the Nigerian Judicial system.”
While giving his keynote address on the topic “Data as the new Equity – New Approaches for Enhanced Justice Delivery and Administration”, the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo SAN, emphasized how the legal industry is being transformed for the better by technology, mentioning LawPavilion as the pioneer of this revolutionary move that is set to enjoy further advancement with the entry of its new innovative software, LawPavilion Prime, that was unveiled at the event by Mr. Ope Olugasa, Managing Director of LawPavilion.
The glamorous event which was iconic in many regards, honoured all Justices of the Supreme Court (past and present) and awarded several honourable Justices in different categories informed by a thorough and robust research and analysis conducted by the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS). These awards were in recognition of profound pronouncements that have shaped legal administration in Nigeria, and have paved the way for even more advancement in the judicial system of Nigeria.
According to Mr. Ope Olugasa, “We at LawPavilion know that the Nigerian Judiciary labours very hard – largely without notice – to further the cause of justice to save lives, to save jobs, to rescue the broken, to free the wrongfully detained and to give justice to all, safe in the strength of the judicial ethos that where there is a right, there surely is a remedy in the Courts.”
These prestigious awards were divided into three main categories and were presented to the following honourable recipients by His Excellency, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo SAN, GCON, Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria:
Category 1 – The Premiers
1st INDIGENOUS CHIEF JUSTICE OF NIGERIA – Hon. Justice Adetokunbo Ademola CJN (RTD)
1st FEMALE CHIEF JUSTICE OF NIGERIA – Hon. Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar CJN (RTD), GCON
Category 2 – Judgments that resulted into legislative or legal reforms, forming turning points in Nigerian Jurisprudence
PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE – MADUKOLU & ORS. v. NKEMDILIM (1962) LPELR-24023 (SC) – Hon. Justice Vahe Bairamian JSC (RTD)
CONSTITUTIONAL LAW – MILITARY GOVERNOR OF LAGOS STATE v. OJUKWU (1986) LPELR-3186 (SC) – HON. Justice Kayode Eso JSC (RTD)
COMMERCIAL LAW – M.V LUPEX v. NIGER OVERSEAS (2003) LPELR-3195 (SC) – Hon. Justice Uthman Mohammed JSC (RTD)
CRIMINAL LAW – NJOVENS & ORS v. STATE (1973) LPELR-2042 (SC) – Hon. Justice George Baptist Ayodola Coker JSC (RTD)
Category 3 – Symbols of Judicial Role Models – recognized for their courage, literary writing style, depth and breadth of reasoning, forthrightness and thoroughness at the bench
Hon. Justice Muhammadu Lawal Uwais CJN (RTD), GCON
Hon. Justice Chukwunweike Idigbe JSC (RTD)
Hon. Justice Chukwudifu Akunne Oputa JSC (RTD)
These awards were given in recognition of their immeasurable and invaluable contribution to the Judiciary, Government and People of Nigeria; and to celebrate these illustrious jurists for their decades of dedicated, selfless service to the nation.
The concept of the “WORDS IN GOLD” Nigerian Judicial Awards, crystallized in the course of the development of the Company’s newest software for the Legal Services Industry, LawPavilion Prime. This new software is not the usual run of the mill legal research software but is actually Africa’s first and only Case Analytics software.
Unveiling the new LawPavilion Prime, Mr. Ope Olugasa said, “Today, we unveil the ultimate breakthrough in our quest for making the task of legal research easier and less burdensome for the judiciary. With key features including its Case Analytics, Laws in Action and Chain Reference, LawPavilion Prime will forever change the way legal research is conducted, not only in Nigeria but ultimately all across the globe.”
