Chukwuka Ikwuazom, SAN, the Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association Security Agencies Relations Committee (NBA-SARC) and tax partner at leading law firm, Aluko & Oyebode, was a member of a panel that explored the topic “Democracy, Access to Justice and Sustainable Economic Development: Any Nexus?” at the Law Week of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ota Branch.
Discussing the lead presentation which was made by former Chairman of NBA Ikeja Branch, Adesina Ogunlana, Esq., Mr Ikwuazom, SAN noted that civil rule is not synonymous with democracy. He identified the salient attributes of democracy to include (1) periodic election of political leaders in elections that are free, fair and credible, (2) separation of powers and (3) the rule of law. Focusing on the rule of law, he emphasized that it is a principle of governance in which all persons, institutions and entities, public and private, including the state itself, are accountable to laws that are publicly promulgated, equally enforced, and independently adjudicated.
He emphasized that the rule of law, an important component of democracy that promotes judicial independence, guarantees access to justice.
Commenting on the nexus between an effective and efficient judiciary and economic development, he remarked, among other things, that investors understand that disputes are inevitable in commercial arrangements and are concerned about the functionality of the court systems of jurisdictions in which they invest. A negative view of a country’s justice sector may be the difference between investing in that country and in another country. Mr. Ikwuazom in conclusion answered the question whether there is a connection among democracy, access to justice and sustainable economic development in the affirmative.
