By Milcah Tanimu
If the 1555 book, Les Propheties, by the French Astrologer, Apothecary, and Physician, Michel De Nostredame, popularly known as Nostradamus, were to be reimagined in the context of the present era, the documentary might well be titled ‘The Man Who Saw Today’ instead of the dramatic ‘The Man Who Saw Tomorrow.’
Nostradamus is renowned for his predictions, some of which have seemingly come true. He was highly sought after and even invited to Royal courts to create horoscopes for Royal children. Some people believe his prophecies predicted real events, such as the death of Henry II, the French Revolution, the rise of Napoleon, the ascent of Adolf Hitler, and the September 11 terror attacks in the USA.
The former Chief Judge of Enugu State, the late Hon. Justice Innocent Azubike Umezulike, whose years of administration have yet to be equaled in the southern part of Nigeria, fits into the shoes of great predictors, akin to the 16th-century philosophers, with his foresight in the ethics, candor, and practice codes of the judicial system.
Thirteen years ago, Umezulike made a prediction that a Judge or Magistrate is an exceptional and distinct public officer, making it absurd to subject them to opprobrium and scrutiny. Today, the Nigerian Judiciary, once a respected institution, has become a subject of ridicule and debasement. In this light, the late Hon. Justice Umezulike stands as a philosopher-king and a man who saw today in yesterday.
Umezulike emphasized the sacred trust bestowed upon Judges, who are expected to be capable, godly, honest, and above all, men who detest bribes. He stressed the importance of maintaining the norms and ethics of the judicial profession, as well as the need for a Judge, Magistrate, or Khadi to be a gentleman.
In his paper, “Judicial Ethics and Accountability,” delivered in 2010, Umezulike attributed Nigeria’s inability to adhere to codes of conduct, indiscipline, disregard for ethics and values, and rampant corruption to the vain glories that can undermine a nation and its people.
Umezulike argued that these malfeasances led to corruption in Nigeria, which deeply concerned former President Shehu Shagari in 1983, prompting him to establish an ethical revolution and a Code of Conduct, which ultimately failed. Umezulike pointed out that the failure of this initiative was due to politicians, who were supposed to lead the ethical revolution but instead plundered the nation’s resources and treasury.
The late President Shagari, while inaugurating his Ethical Revolution and Code of Conduct for Nigerians, expressed concern that Nigeria was plagued by corruption, fraud, smuggling, criminal deception, and dishonesty.
Umezulike believed that the judicial Code of Conduct would not have a significant impact unless reinforced by a general societal code of ethics and standards that Nigerians must voluntarily observe at all times.
Umezulike highlighted the importance of comportment, ethics, and morality in the behavior of a judicial officer. He emphasized that a Judge, Magistrate, or Khadi must maintain composure, politeness, understanding, and accommodation in their dealings with litigants and counsel.
On the issue of corruption, Umezulike acknowledged that corruption was a pervasive problem in Nigeria and noted that judicial officers must rise above it, as they perform some of the functions of God on earth. He emphasized that Judges must be incorruptible and should not accept bribes, as once justice becomes pricey, the public loses faith in the judicial system.
Justice Professor Innocent Azubike Umezulike (1953 – 2018) was an intellectual giant and one of Africa’s most prolific writers in land law. He was Chief Judge of Enugu State for over 13 years and made significant contributions to the legal field through his numerous books and his unwavering commitment to justice.
Umezulike’s legacy lives on through the Hon. Justice Innocent Umezulike Foundation, which is dedicated to the development of a more progressive society through education and various projects aimed at positively impacting the lives of children, youths, and adults.
