Legal Practitioner Seeks End to Jungle Justice
A legal practitioner, Ifasola Opeodu, has warned the public against acts of beating and killing of persons alleged of committing crimes
Barrister Opeodu who sounded a strong warning to Nigerians about the dangers of jungle justice, noted that the people always want instant judgement to punish the offender but the competent court of jurisdiction must be left to decide their fate
“We have seen many instances where people are wrongly accused and attacked by miscreants who want to steal their valuable property. Before anyone realizes it, people start beating the accused”
He emphasized the responsibility of lawyers, stating that their duty is to uphold the principles of the rule of law. He asserted that the rule of law is vital to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He said, “From the layman’s perspective, who has no experience with law, lawyers are liars.
“That’s why it is contained in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria that every accused person is presumed innocent of the alleged offense until the contrary is proved.”
“But when you look at it from a professional angle and from a perspective that benefits you, when a lawyer renders a service that suits you, then lawyers are not liars.”
Opeodu claimed that Nigerians do not want lawyers to defend certain alleged criminals, such as murderers, kidnappers, rapists, or those accused of other serious crimes.
