An ultra-modern building, the Asiwaju Wole Olanipekun Human Rights Office of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Ikere-Ekiti Branch, has been commissioned for use.
Commissioning the Human Rights building in Ikere-Ekiti, the Chief Judge of Ekiti State, Justice Lekan Ogunmoye, said the office would be a place where the poor, widows, the wrongly detained, and the voiceless are secured and defended.
Justice Ogunmoye described the facility as a landmark intervention in access to justice, noting that it would bridge the gap between the legal system and indigent citizens who cannot afford legal representation.
He commended Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, for always setting worthy examples and urged other well-meaning indigenes of the state to emulate his commitment to humanity and the rule of law.
The Chief Judge further charged legal professionals to be committed to a judiciary that is independent, courageous, efficient, and accessible to the people, especially the less privileged in society.
Speaking during the programme, the donor, Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, who was represented by Dr. Adeola Omotunde, SAN, said he would not relent in his efforts to continue contributing to the development of society and the legal profession.
Chief Olanipekun noted that the Human Rights Office was part his broader vision to ensure that justice is not the exclusive preserve of the rich and powerful.
Also speaking, the Olupole of Ipole-Iloro, Oba Oladele Babatola, described Chief Wole Olanipekun as an outstanding philanthropist who has been passionate about the welfare of the people and the protection of their rights from being trampled upon.
The Sapetu of Ikere Kingdom, Professor Babatola Olufemi, who represented the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Adejimi Adu, said the donor has consistently catered for the poor and prayed God to continue to be with him in all his endeavours.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Ikere Branch, Mr. Temitope Kolawole, said the office stands on three symbolic pillars: a hub for advocacy where the weak find strength, a centre for enlightenment where ignorance of rights is replaced with knowledge and empowerment, and a point of cost-free, unhindered access to justice and legal services.
Mr. Kolawole thanked Chief Olanipekun for his unrelenting support for the NBA, Ikere Branch, and prayed for God’s continued blessings upon him.
He added that the branch would deploy volunteer lawyers to the office to handle pro bono cases and human rights violations.
