The branches of the Nigerian Bar Association have written to the Honorable Chief Judge of Lagos State, praying him for intervention in some certain cogent issues.
The seven Lagos NBA braches who wrote one single letter are – the Lagos, Badagry, Ikorodu, Epe, Ikeja, Eti-Osa and Surulere. In the statement made available to us the NBA braches write as follows:
“Your lordship,
2024/2025 NEW LEGAL YEAR: THE FERVENT PRAYERS OF THE BAR
“We write as Chairmen of the seven branches of the Nigerian Bar Association in Lagos State viz, Lagos, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Badagry, Epe, Eti-Osa and Surulere Branches, for and on behalf of ourselves and our respective Branch members.
“Since your lordship was sworn in as the Honourable Chief Judge, your lordship has shown consistent commitment to improving justice delivery, which is crucial in a State like Lagos, an important economic hub for the country. Your lordship has also been prudent in managing the astronomical increase in the operational cost of the judiciary and gracious in advocating for better welfare for judicial officers and staff.
“While we express our sincere gratitude for these efforts, we, like the fabled Oliver Twist, respectfully present the following petitions on behalf of the entire Bar in Lagos State, especially as we begin a new legal yea.Reconstruction of the Lagos Division of the High Court of Lagos State, Igbosere and renovation of the Lagos Magisterial District of the Magistrates’ Court of Lagos State, Igbosere.
“We commend the efforts of the State thus far regarding the reconstruction of the Lagos Division of the High Court of Lagos State, Igbosere which was unconscionably burnt during the End SARS protests. However, the building project appears to have taken over two years without any indication of a possible completion date. The pace of the project is causing frustration within the Bar and users of the Courts.
Similarly, the Lagos Magisterial District of the Magistrates’ Court of Lagos State, Igbosere, remains without use. This is notwithstanding that the courthouses have significant cultural, political, and historical value for Lagos State. Moreover, its closure has worsened the strain on other courthouses in Lagos, forcing Magistrates to share courtrooms.
We respectfully request that the Chief Registrar issue a status report on the plans for these courthouses. We believe this will address the anxiety of all, especially litigants. We also call on the Lagos State Government to inject the necessary funds for the immediate completion and commissioning of the High Court complex at Igbosere.Welfare of Judicial Officers While we appreciate your lordship’s efforts in propagating improved welfare package and working condition for the judiciary despite budgetary constraints, we urge your lordship not to relent in this pursuit. Improved remuneration and working conditions for Judges, Magistrates, and other judicial stakeholders will motivate our judicial officers to perform at their best and reduce the temptation to accept bribes from unscrupulous individuals who seek to exploit the judicial system for selfish benefit.Additionally, Magistrates, who handle the larger percentage of grassroots legal matters, are often left out of salary adjustments granted to judicial officers. This has caused them financial strain and may lead to unethical practices. We respectfully urge my lord to advocate for a substantial salary increase to at least 300% for Magistrates. This increase will boost morale, reduce corruption, and promote integrity within the judiciary.Dereliction of Duty by some Judges and Magistrates.
We have received reports about late delivery of judgments and rulings beyond the statutory threshold as well as the practice of some Judges and Magistrates sitting inordinately late, sometimes as late as 11.30am or failing to sit at all without prior notice to the Bar. Particularly disturbing is the report of Judges who speak to or treat counsel in disparaging and condescending manner in Court. We are of the respectful view that there should be mutual respect between the Bar and the Bench as we work conjunctively in the temple of justice. On our part, we kindly request that any discourteous or otherwise unethical counsel is reported to the Bar, and appropriate investigation and disciplinary action will be taken against such erring lawyer(s).
My lord, we also bring to your attention a concerning practice observed in some of our courts where certain Judges, in open court, divert from the business of the day to address internal disciplinary matters involving their support staff. While we appreciate the need for order and discipline within the court, such actions in the presence of counsel, litigants, and the public consume valuable judicial time and detract from the swift administration of justice. We are of the firm view that such administrative and or disciplinary matters could be handled outside of court proceedings, so as notto delay or disrupt the dispensation of justice.
In the Eti-Osa Division, there is a particular need for court staff to send notifications to lawyers at least a day before hearings, informing counsel of the likely status of their cases (i.e., whether the court will sit or not). This will save counsel the risk and costs of adjournments that occur without prior information.
Finally, we respectfully request that Judges and Magistrates refrain from penalizing counsel and litigants for the omissions of court staff. For instance, where a hearing notice is missing from a file due to staff error, the matter involved should not be adjourned unnecessarily. We beseech my lord to instill the necessary discipline across the Bench to ensure a more efficient justice delivery system.
Plague of touts around Courthouses
Users of the Court, litigants, counseland judicial staff will attest to the presence of touts soliciting innocent citizens for legal work such as the preparation and oathingof affidavits by Commissioners for Oaths or notaries public. Many of these touts are unqualified to practice law, and since they lack physical offices, it is nearly impossible to prosecute them for unethical practices.
We confirm the readiness of the Bar to collaborate with your lordship to combat this repugnant practice until it ceases entirely.
Establishment of an Administrative Office for the Execution of Judgments in Ikorodu and Eti-Osa Judicial Divisions
We respectfully request that an administrative office for execution of judgments be established in Ikorodu and Eti-Osa Divisions to improve access to justice, streamline processes and reduce delays.
Court Expansion and Increased Judicial Staffing in Eti-Osa:
Due to the rapid growth of Eti-OsaDivision, we respectfully request the expansion of courtrooms in both the Magistrates’ and High Courtin Eti-Osa. Additionally, there is an urgent need for the posting or appointment of more High Court Judges and Magistrates to the EtiOsa Division. We also request the appointment of a new Chief Magistrate (Admin) for Eti-Osa to restore administrative efficiency and help manage the increasing caseload.
Creation of a Probate Registry and Multi-Door Courthouse in Eti-Osa:
We urge my lord to consider the establishment of a Probate Registry in the EtiOsa Judicial Division to cater to the rising number of probate-related matters. Furthermore, we request the creation of a Multi-Door Courthouse in Eti-Osa to enhance access to alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, reduce the caseload on the courts, and ensure quicker resolution of disputes.
Concurrent Manual filing for Specific Cases
“To address the challenges with the e-filing system, we suggest that the Lagos State Judiciary consider reintroducing manual filing alongside e-filing, particularly for urgent matters like child rights cases, until the efiling system is fully sustainable.We believe that this will help improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the LagosState Judiciary and enhance access to justice for all.Some of the complaints by our members on the e-filing system include but is not limited to the inordinate delay in obtaining suit numbers for newly filed cases. Related to this is the delay in the assignment of new matters. We humbly request that these issues be looked into and resolved.
“Perennial Power Challenge
There is a perennial power challenge in most divisions of our Courts, especially the EpeDivision where the generator attached to the courtis unfit to serve the Court. This generator has no functional batteries as Judges and counsel alike have, at several times sacrificed their car batteries to power the decrepit generator in the Epe Division.To this end, we ask specifically for the Epe Division, the purchase of a new generator set, proper engagement with the relevant Distribution Companies and increase in the number of hours power is supplied to our Courts. There is no gainsaying the fact that the lack of power supply in our Courts significantly hinders the productivity of the Judges and Magistrates and it is our fervent prayer that the rationing of power in our Courts be a thing of the past.
Conclusion
“As we begin the new legal year, we have deemed it fit to bring the aforesaid issues to the fore for your lordship’s kind and urgent consideration and action. We will be happy to meet with my lord for further discussion, as may be required. We wish my lord a happy new legal year. Please accept the assurance of our highest professional regards.
Yours faithfully,”
