Lawyers in Osun State have urged Governor Ademola Adeleke to act on the worsening state of court buildings, arguing that failures in infrastructure pose serious risks to the administration of justice and endanger public safety. Their appeal, sent on October 29, 2026, came from five Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) branch chairmen, who highlighted leaking roofs, collapsing ceilings, and poor facilities as pressing concerns threatening court functions.
The letter, delivered to the Governor’s Office on November 2, named six specific locations where conditions have reached critical levels: Osogbo, Ikirun, Ilesa, Ile-Ife, Iwo, and Ede. According to the association, several facilities have leaking roofs, damaged ceilings, inadequate seating arrangements and other structural defects that make court proceedings difficult. The association warned that water leakage could damage official documents, court records, furniture and electronic equipment.
The NBA proposed a full review of all judicial facilities, including High Courts, Customary Courts of Appeal, Magistrates’ Courts, and District Customary Courts, to evaluate the extent of deterioration and determine repair priorities. For buildings requiring major work, they recommended complete renovations instead of temporary solutions. Additionally, they stressed the need to restore the Chief Judge’s office and judicial chambers to ensure safe working conditions for judicial officers.
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The association also called for investment in modern equipment and digital infrastructure to improve the efficiency of the state’s judicial systems. Its recommendations include electronic case management systems, digital recording equipment, computers and other essential technology for courtrooms and judicial offices. However, the lawyers stressed that technology investment must accompany proper training for judicial and registry personnel, adequate maintenance funding and practical implementation plans.
The letter was signed by Maruf Adediran, Chairman of the NBA Osogbo Branch; Abdulkareem Azeez, Chairman of the Ikirun Branch; Emmanuel Ademola Gbadegesin, Chairman of the Iwo Branch; Olawoye Ayodele Festus, Chairman of the Ile-Ife Branch; and Adefunso Esan, Chairman of the Ilesa Branch.
The immediate focus is on safety, but the underlying problem is deeper: courts cannot fulfill their role when basic upkeep is ignored. The Osun government now faces the task of conducting the proposed audit, addressing urgent safety hazards, and developing a long-term strategy to prevent further deterioration. Failure to act will leave the state’s judicial system, and the citizens depending on it, vulnerable to continued setbacks.
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