NBA charges Lagos judiciary on administration of Justice
The Lagos State branches of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), has admonished the state judiciary to put in place modalities to address challenges confronting the administration of justice in the state.
NBA made the charge during the Bar and Bench forum at the Lagos High Court, Igbosere, as part of activities marking the beginning of the 2015/2016 legal year.
The chairmen of the four branches of the Lagos NBA comprising Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos and Ikeja branches also enumerated some of the challenges confronting judiciary in the state.
Chairman Ikeja branch, Mr Yinka Farounbi, speaking on behalf of the other chairmen, said delay in delivering judgment and rulings, late sitting of courts, attitudes of judges to lawyers, stringent bail conditions as well as dilapidated court rooms among others are some of the challenges militating against administration of justice in the state.
“Some of our courts, both higher and lower, do not deliver their judgments, rulings and orders on time and when done, it is a herculean task obtaining the CTCs (Certified True Copies). Stringent bail conditions defeat the purpose of bail. There have been several complaints by our members on the attitude of some judges and magistrates by treating lawyers discourteously in the open courts. Most of our court rooms are dilapidated. The seats for the Bar are not adequate and convenient to sit for long hours as they are damaged.”
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2 Comments
While Lagos judiciary settled the funding issue with the state govt since January, Anambra state judiciary is still on strike. It seems no body can make Obiano bulge to settle the judiciary workers by obeying the supreme court judgment Lawyers,litiagants are really suffering in that state.
NBA, so so complain! No critical thinking to help resolve issues. If NBA is serious about administration of justice, the first step is to hire a consultant to look at least 5 systems of justice in world and make a recommendation on the way forward. If you want a case to be disposed off quickly, it could take 2 to 3 years unless it is a fundamental human rights breach. An effective justice system must provide a calendar for the disposition of a case once filed in court so that parties know when to file what and what time the trial will be held and judgment given. For quick delivery of judgment, judges need research attorneys to help them facilitate research for current legal issues, but NBA will never make that recommendation. Also, there is technology out there that courts used for the dispensation of justice, why can’t we implement it? Corruption!
We will review and take appropriate action.