Justice Isaac O. Aluyi: Architect of a People’s Court – A Personal Reflection from 1984

Justice I. O. Aluyi

By Dr. Michael Omoruyi | iNewsAfrica

It was 1984. I was a young man navigating the busy streets of Benin City, chasing dreams and ambition, when I found myself face-to-face with a man whose very presence seemed to command respect — Justice Isaac O. Aluyi, the newly appointed pioneer President of the Bendel State Customary Court of Appeal.

Our meeting was brief but memorable. He extended a firm handshake, his gaze steady yet kind, the kind of look that made you feel both seen and challenged to be your best. There was nothing flamboyant about him — no theatrics, no grand display of authority — just a quiet confidence that came from deep knowledge, discipline, and a genuine commitment to justice.

A Founding Pillar of Customary Justice

When Justice Aluyi assumed office in 1983, he was stepping into uncharted territory. The Customary Court of Appeal was a new institution, tasked with harmonizing traditional African legal principles with the broader Nigerian legal system. For many, this was an administrative and judicial challenge; for Aluyi, it was a calling.

He understood that customary law was not a relic of the past but a living, breathing system that carried the values, identity, and dignity of communities. His leadership was marked by an insistence that justice should reflect the lived realities of the people, not just the technicalities of imported legal systems.

Substance Over Technicalities

Justice Aluyi often spoke of “substantial justice” — a principle that justice must not be lost in the maze of procedural technicalities. Under his watch, the court became a place where litigants, many of them from rural communities, could expect to have their voices heard without being buried under legal jargon.

Colleagues described him as “an administrator per excellence” who built a court second to none in the country. He personally oversaw processes that ensured the court’s judgments were consistent, fair, and rooted in the cultural context of those it served.

A Legacy Carved in Stone

When Bendel State was split in 1991 into Edo and Delta States, Justice Aluyi continued as the President of the Edo State Customary Court of Appeal until his retirement in 1998. His institutional foundation was so solid that the court not only survived the political restructuring but thrived.

In 2010, long after his retirement, the Edo State Judiciary immortalized his name by christening the Customary Court of Appeal complex the “Justice I. O. Aluyi Building.” It was more than a ceremonial gesture; it was a public acknowledgment that his work had permanently shaped the judiciary in the state.

The Man I Remember

Reflecting on that meeting in 1984, I realize now that I was in the presence of a man who embodied the rare blend of legal brilliance and human empathy. Justice Aluyi was not merely building a court; he was building trust between the people and the law.

In a time when many leaders were distracted by politics or personal gain, he remained anchored to the principle that justice is ultimately about the people it serves. His work still echoes in the rulings, procedures, and ethos of the court he founded.

Justice Isaac O. Aluyi’s legacy is not just etched on a building — it is woven into the legal fabric of Edo State and stands as a model for judicial leadership across Nigeria.

About the Author
Dr. Michael Omoruyi is a Technologist, Educator, and the Author of “From Grit to Grace: A Memoir of Roots, Resilience, and Reinvention.”  He currently serves as Director of Diaspora Affairs for the LPPMC and advocates for youth inclusion and African innovation.