By Folayimika Akanbi
For the retired President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami, Tuesday (March 24th, 2026) would not be forgotten in a hurry. The day was not like every other day in his earthly journey.
Even though Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) selected and honoured him as Human Rights Defender for its 2025 award to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the centre, it transcended just an award handed to a recipient.
It was an honour brought to the jurist’s doorsteps in Ilorin residence, thus making him a cynosure of all eyes even in retirement. The honoree served as the President of the Court of Appeal between 2009 and 2011, the duration considered a defining moment in the nation’s bench.
While in office battling for survival, many discerning Nigerians pitched tent with the retired jurist and celebrated him for his courage, incorruptibility and the resolve to weather the storm allegedly orchestrated both internally and externally.
Members of Justice Salami’s household in his modest residence beamed with smiles all through as he stretched his right hand to collect the golden colour award from Motunrayo Alaka, the Executive Director of the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.
With Alaka to present the award was Dapo Olorunyomi, Publisher and Chief Executive of Premium Times, an online newspaper, who helped in founding
the centre.
In his remarks, Olorunyomi explained that WSCIJ was established to offer training for Journalists, prod them into investigative reporting to be able to address the issues of corruption and infractions among others.
He added that the centre was in place to stimulate the legal aspect of the media, which is to hold the power accountable in line with the Section 22 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The veteran journalist noted that the centre earmarked December 9th annually to celebrate United Nations Human Rights Day during which people who exhibited courage and hope in their line of duties are celebrated.
He maintained that Justice Isa Ayo Salami was unanimously picked as the recipient of the 2025 award of the centre and to celebrate him for his contributions to legal profession even in retirement.
Alaka, who advanced reasons for the recipient’s pick for the award, said the centre settled for the retired jurist for walking the path of integrity and courage in his dispensation of justice on human rights.
She pointed out that WSCIJ valued integrity, fairness and justice in its operations, hence its resolve to honour journalists, who demonstrated courage in their discharge of their duty, particularly investigative reporting, which is replete with its own problems.
“Why we chose Justice Isa Ayo Salami for our 20th anniversary award at Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism is to celebrate journalists who are courageous and who do investigative reporting despite the challenges that the profession has.
“But in that system, we recognize that there is an ecosystem that supports journalism and a sector like legal is very critical. We have human rights defender award, which is the honour that we bestow on persons or Nigerians, who have walked a path of integrity, whose work has shown defence to human rights, defence to people who have been courageous in the course of their work and who have refused to be intimidated by the establishment to ensure that justice is served.
“So, we picked Justice Ayo Salami just for these qualities, and his consistency as a legal practitioner, his work in the Court of Appeal as President and his stand for justice, which is what the poor look forward to. That is, when you are aggrieved, you go to the court.
“As an organization, Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism, we uphold the values of integrity, justice, fairness and credibility in society,” she said.
Justice Salami, in his response, expressed reservation about the quality of individuals appointed into the bench now, saying that a number of them lack courage to be just on issues placed before them.
He explained that lack of courage to be just in the dispensation of justice has weakened the judiciary, the reason, he noted, made citizens to be loosing confidence in the system.
Justice Salami recalled how the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, influenced his decision to become a lawyer, saying that he would have studied agriculture in higher institution of learning for his degree certificate.
He thanked the WSCIJ for honouring him with the award and pledged his commitment to cherish what he referred to as a token.
Justice Salami, who received the award in the presence of his wife, said, “I am short of words to describe this occasion. I least expected it. I gladly appreciate it, a token I will cherish for life, especially coming from Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism.
“Wole Soyinka is an individual who stood tall among his contemporaries. I remember what happened during Ladoke Akintola matter. A recorded tape was being broadcast on a radio and it was alleged that somebody went inside the studio and changed the tape to something different.. Youths of today should emulate Wole Soyinka.
“As for the bench, late Chief Obafemi Awolowo influenced my decision to read law. When he was charged, he appointed an English lawyer. And I think that man was denied Visa or so.
“But by and large, I’m very happy to receive this symbolic gesture from the organization. I will cherish it.”
Visited 20 times, 1 visit(s) today
