The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikorodu Branch, has condemned the decision of the Ayangburen of Ikorodu, Oba Kabiru Adewale Shotobi, to schedule the 2025 Oro (Liwe) Festival for June 12, a day nationally recognised as Democracy Day.
In a letter addressed to the monarch and copied to top legal and government officials, the NBA stated that the decision amounts to a disregard for democratic principles and the rule of law.
The letter accused the traditional palace of encroaching on constitutional freedoms and undermining civic values.
“It is disheartening to hear that the second part of the ‘Oro’ which is Liwe Festival has been scheduled to hold on another public holiday which is declared by the Federal Government to commemorate the return of civil rule to Nigeria,” the letter stated.
“The consequence of which the rights of the people to partake in the activities for the day would be seriously infringed upon, not to mention the disregard of the sanctity and significance of the day.”
The NBA noted that it had previously raised objections when the Magbo Festival was fixed for May 27, globally recognised as Children’s Day, a development it said “deprived all the children in Ikorodu from celebrating with their counterparts.”
The lawyers’ body stated that despite submitting a letter on the same day to the palace, “the letter was received but never responded to till the time of writing this instant letter.”
The group said while it continues to “acknowledge and respect the cultural and spiritual significance of the Liwe Festival,” tradition must “exist in harmony with the evolving principles of our democratic society.”
“Fixing the Oro Liwe Festival for the 12th of June (Democracy Day), a day that commemorates the country’s return to civil governance, symbolises a troubling encroachment on the civic liberty of residents and citizens,” the NBA said.
It warned that “the imposition of movement restrictions under the guise of tradition on such a symbolic day undermines these ideals,” especially as the Bar’s Human Rights Committee traditionally uses Democracy Day to “embark on visits to police stations to monitor detentions and ensure no one’s rights are unjustly violated.”
The letter also raised alarm over what it described as “the appearance of a subsequent pattern including a purported shift to June 12, another significant civic date,” saying it “raises apprehension of a deliberate disregard for civic significance and constitutional rights.”
The lawyers reminded the monarch that under Nigerian law, “cultural practices cannot be upheld where they conflict with constitutional rights.”
Citing Sections 38 and 42 of the 1999 Constitution and key legal precedents including Mojekwu v. Mojekwu and Yinka Ogundimu v. Baale of Igboore & Ors, the letter emphasized that “these provisions are not aspirational ideals; they are sacrosanct provisions of the laws which all institutions, including traditional ones must adhere.”
NBA Ikorodu stated that their concern is not an attack on tradition, but a defence of justice.
“Our position is not antagonistic to traditions. Rather, it is grounded in our responsibilities as officers in the temple of justice to uphold the rule of law and defend constitutional freedoms,” it said.
The body called for a change in the date of the Oro Festival and warned that it “will take steps to address the violation if our concerns are not adequately addressed.”
The letter, signed by Olawunmi Adeola (Chairperson) and Michael Olamona (Secretary), was copied to the NBA President, Governor of Lagos State, Chief Judge of Lagos State, Attorney-General of the Federation, and the Attorney-General of Lagos State.
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