FEW INSTANCES
When it comes to coming out boldly to advance and defence the cause of women’s right, there are only few lawyers that can be counted. Kunle Edun, the National Publicity Secretary of the NBA is a name that has been associated with seeking for justice for women whose rights have been violated by institutions of the State.
Most recently, Hon. Justice Akon Ikpeme of the High Court of Justice, Cross River State was recommended by the National Judicial Council as the substantive Chief Judge of the State, having been a Judge for more than 2 decades and acted as the Chief Judge, being the most senior Judge in the State. The Cross River State House of Assembly rejected her recommendation on the ground that she is not from Cross River State but neighboring Akwa Ibom State.
Kunle Edun was one of the few lawyers that came out boldly to insist that the recommendation of the NJC must stand and that her rejection by the House of Assembly was discriminatory. Kunle Edun and colleagues of like minds filed a fundamental right enforcement action at the Federal High Court, Calabar in suit No.FHC/CA/FHR/31/2020: OLUKUNLE EDUN & ORS. VS. SPEAKER, CROSS RIVER STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY & ORS. Unfortunately, the case was unsuccessful and is presently pending before the Court of Appeal, Calabar. The Appellant’s legal team at the Court of Appeal includes 4 prominent Senior Advocates of Nigeria.
In another case involved a widow, whose husband was killed by soldiers while purporting to recover a civil debt on behalf of a non military personnel. The deceased, Chief Oladele Ajayi left behind 4 children who were still in the Primary School. Kunle Edun, again rushed to the Federal High Court, Warri and succeeded in obtaining a N50m judgement against the Nigerian Army. He also succeeded in attaching the accounts of the Nigerian Army. The widow and her children finally got justice.
As the National Publicity Secretary of the NBA, kunle Edun has shown respect to female lawyers and always eager to offer a hand of assistance. Few days ago, the Nigerian President extended the tenure of the Court of Appeal President, Hon. Justice Dongbam Mensems for another 3 months instead of approving her appointment as the substantive President of the Court of Appeal. Kunle Edun issued a strong statement condemning it and called it an abuse of Executive powers and undue interference with the independence of the judiciary.
Kunle Edun is a warrior for women’s right. Kunle Edun is highly detribalized, married to an igbo lady, Ngozi and both of them have 4 children, 3 of whom are beautiful girls.
As Kunle Edun aspires to be the next National Welfare Secretary of the NBA, we must rally round him and give him our unflinching support. Amongst his gender programme is to ensure gender parity in the Committees of the NBA and other critical appointments. Kunle Edun is the one that we can trust to push the agenda of female lawyers ( FIDA, AWLA, NBA Women Forum) . He has cognate experience, capacity, passion and devotion to gender justice. He is tested and trusted at the highest level of NBA.
Dr. Ejiro Kore Okiti