Osun Lawyers Call for Urgent Intervention to Save Deteriorating Court Buildings

Lawyers in Osun State have raised serious concerns regarding the state of court buildings, which they describe as deteriorating and increasingly unfit for judicial purposes. In a letter addressed to Governor Ademola Adeleke, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), representing its branches in Osogbo, Ikirun, Iwo, Ile-Ife, and Ilesa, emphasized the urgent need for intervention to prevent further decline in the administration of justice.

The letter, dated October 29, 2026, and received by the Governor's Office on November 2, outlines the critical issues plaguing the court facilities, including leaking roofs, damaged ceilings, and inadequate seating arrangements. These deficiencies have reportedly disrupted court proceedings, undermining the ability of legal practitioners to effectively carry out their duties and jeopardizing the rights of litigants and witnesses.

“Several court buildings have deteriorated to the extent that they threaten the dignity of the judicial institution and expose judicial officers, legal practitioners, litigants, and witnesses to avoidable hardship,”

noted the chairmen of the respective branches, including Maruf Adediran from Osogbo and Adefunso Esan from Ilesa. The lawyers lamented that rainwater intrusion into courtrooms has led to interruptions and suspensions of proceedings, ultimately resulting in unnecessary adjournments and delays that erode public confidence in the judicial system.

In their appeal, the lawyers called for comprehensive rehabilitation, renovation, and modernization of court facilities across the state. They stress that a well-functioning judiciary is crucial for upholding the rule of law and ensuring that justice is accessible to all citizens. Without prompt action, they warn that the current state of disrepair could lead to a complete collapse of judicial services in Osun State.