Lawyers criticize condition for re-opening magistrate courts

By Damilola Kushimo

Lawyers in Isolo Local Council Development Area (LCDA) have expressed their displeasure over the condition attached to the reopening of magistrate courts at the local government level.

The government recently approved the reopening of the courts on the condition that they should sit once weekly.

The lawyers have however decried the once-in-a-week court session in magistrate courts as partial resumption of judicial activities is even allowed in one of the two magistrate courts in the local council area after 11 weeks of lockdown.

It was learnt that the weekly court session has resumed only to register and process fresh cases for the advice of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) while previous cases before the pandemic remain suspended.

This, according to Barrister Henry Enemchukwu, is a setback to judicial system.

Enemchukwu said the weekly court session would delay the administration of justice while emphasising that judicial session could be observed on daily basis with strict enforcement of all precautions against the virus.

According to him, there is nothing wrong in allowing the court to open three times a week minimum like markets.

He said the Covid-19 pandemic should not be an excuse anymore since all precautionary measures could be effectively maintained at the court.

“It is a setback to the judicial system. Now the number of cases that we absolved before would not be entertained again, people will queue to get justice because there are so many cases at hand even before the pandemic. Having just one day for sitting is a setback and it will delay the administration of justice,” he said.

Also speaking, Barr. Habeebulahi Boladele said the backlog of cases would be cleared and justice would be served to all deserving parties if the number of days for judicial proceedings were increased.

He also noted that virtual court sitting may help the situation if well organised and encouraged.