“You are the hope of the common man,” Nigerian Prelate Tells Lawyers at Legal Year Launch

 “If the common man comes to you crying and cannot say that this is where the truth lies, then there is a problem,” the Bishop said.

Making reference to the persistent violence in some parts of Africa’s most populous nation, Bishop Obodo said, “A lot of blood is being shed in this country and it’s very necessary to talk to those who are meant to save these innocent lives and keep it from wasting.”

“Of the four cardinal virtues, which are justice, prudence, fortitude and temperance, justice stands out as it comprises divine-human and human-human relationship and once justice is well applied, the society is in order,” the 53-year-old Prelate said in his homily.

He Auxiliary Bishop of Enugu added, “When every arm of the government is doing its work perfectly, then there is justice in the society.”

Citing the Boko Haram insurgency and the Fulani herdsmen as examples, the Prelate said that “the greatest judicial tragedy in Nigeria is that many people are not being punished for the offences they commit.”

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The situation in the West African country is as it is today because most of the leaders in the country are not vast in knowledge and therefore, do not know what the justice system and other aspects of the government are meant to be doing, he said.

Referencing the ancient philosopher, Plato, Bishop Obodo said, “There can never be justice in the society until kings become philosophers or philosophers become king.”

He expressed his appreciation for the change of the prison system in Nigeria to correctional facilities that see that offenders are punished “to be corrected and not to be killed.”

“The Lord expects you to punish offenders and also correct them,” the Nigerian Prelate told lawyers.

He went on to encourage the court officials to “remember to always apply justice and mercy especially when dealing with the poor as it seems justice is meant only for the rich as it's too costly for the poor to afford especially in Nigeria.”

“My dear judges and lawyers, know that behind every raised arm of the law lies a person that needs to be saved, the law is meant to save the sinner, the poor, and not meant to kill and oppress the people. Human justice should reflect divine justice,” the Prelate said in conclusion.

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.