Judges may not sit Monday, election recess lingers
By Ken Baju
There are fears that judges of the Lagos State Judicial Service may not sit today Monday in view of the tension that marked the Presidential and National Assembly elections over the weekend.
A few lawyers told Echonews that private inquiries from the staff working in courts where their cases are pending reported that the judges prefer to watch events unfold on Monday from the comfort of their homes hoping that the tense security situation would be doused by evening.
The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon.Justice Kazeem Olanrewaju Alogba issued a directive Thursday, February 23, this year asking judges and all other staff of the Lagos State Judicial Service to observe a half- work day on Friday February 24 this year to prepare for the Presidential and National Assembly polls.
The directive, issued by the Acting Chief Registrar, Mr. T.A. Elias read:
“ I have the directive of the Honourable Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Olanrewaju Alogba to inform all members of staff of Lagos State Judiciary, that Friday, 24th February, 2023 has been declared as Half Working Day for members of staff.
The reason for this is to ensure all members of staff are not hindered from exercising their political franchise during the forthcoming Presidential and National Assembly Elections scheduled for Saturday 25th February 2023.
In view of this, offices at all Divisions and districts of Lagos State judiciary are to close by 1 pm on Friday 24th February 2023.”
Meanwhile, A lawyer, Barrister Kayode Ademiluyi has advocated for a review of the laws to enable state high courts handle election cases too. In the alternative, he urged the establishment of a specialised court to handle election matters.
Ademiluyi, who was counsel to Rep. Ganiyu Johnson ( Oshodi-Isolo II) during the election petitions in 2019 said such provisions will aid the dispensation of justice.
His words: “ Pre-election cases should not be handled by the Federal High Court alone. There should be provision for other courts of the same hierarchy to also assist so that justice can be gotten fast. In the alternative, a specialized court should be created to handle pre and post-election matters.”
