The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has said the survival of the nation’s democracy and its ability to deliver the needed dividends for the citizens are dependent on the existence of strong and independent institutions.

“Democracy cannot survive on elections alone, noting that it requires strong institutions, respect for the rule of law, accountability, transparency, independent oversight and an informed and engaged citizenry,” Dr. Uju Agomo, a senior office of the NBA said.

Agomo, who is the Chair of the NBA Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL), spoke in Abuja on Tuesday, while announcing plans for this year’s edition of the NBA-SPIDEL annual conference.

She said the conference planned for the International Conference Centre, Umuahia, Abia State, between November 10 and 13, will provide an opportunity to examine the role of lawyers in strengthening democratic institutions and defending constitutional governance.

Agomo said the event, with the theme: “In public interest: Advancing justice, democracy and development,” is intended as a national platform for serious conversation, practical solutions and strategic action.

She added: “Across four days, leading Nigerian and international voices from the judiciary, legal profession, government, civil society, academia, development institutions, security and justice sectors will come together to examine some of the most pressing issues affecting justice, democracy and development in Nigeria.

“The conference will create space for honest reflection on where we are as a nation, what is working, what is failing and, most importantly, what we must do differently.”

Agomo said the conference will examine issues relating to access to justice, public interest litigation, strengthening the administration of justice, democratic governance, constitutionalism and human rights.

She said participants will also discuss non-custodial measures, oversight of places of detention, prevention of deaths in custody, policing and community safety, corruption, terrorism financing, legal aid, inclusion and the future of public interest law in Nigeria.

The NBA-SPIDEL Chair added: “We will also examine the responsibility of lawyers and professional institutions to move from advocacy to measurable impact.

“As lawyers, our responsibility extends beyond the courtroom. We have a constitutional, professional and moral responsibility to defend human rights, promote accountability, strengthen democratic institutions and contribute to the development of a just and equitable society.”

Arguing that justice cannot be meaningful when citizens cannot access it, Agomo said the conference will also interrogate the structural and institutional barriers that continue to impede access to justice, including delays in the administration of justice, inadequate legal representation, weaknesses in justice-sector institutions and the difficulties faced by vulnerable and marginalised populations.

“We will explore practical strategies for strengthening legal aid, promoting alternative and non-custodial measures, improving detention oversight and ensuring that the justice system remains responsive to the needs of ordinary Nigerians.

“In particular, NBA-SPIDEL will continue to draw attention to the urgent need to prevent avoidable deaths and abuses in places of detention and to ensure that detention facilities operate in accordance with Nigerian law and internationally recognised human rights standards.

“This theme is deliberate. It reflects our conviction that the legal profession cannot remain detached from the realities confronting our society.

“Law must serve the public interest. Justice must be accessible. Democracy must be protected. Development must be inclusive and grounded in the rule of law,” Agomo said. (The Nation)