Senior lawyers on Wednesday warned the federal government that the Court of Appeal is severely overburdened with cases.
They said the appellate court is being forced to give cases extremely long hearing dates because of a shortage of justices to hear the appeals.
They advised the federal government to urgently expand the Court of Appeal by appointing more justices, especially for the Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja divisions of the court.
The lawyers made the appeal in Lagos at the special valedictory court session/reception in honour of the President of the Court of Appeal Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, who retires on March 6.
Those who spoke included Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Mr Paul Usoro SAN, a former NBA President Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, Attorney-General of Lagos State Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo SAN and first female Attorney-General of Lagos State, Hairat Balogun SAN.
Usoro, who was represented by a former Attorney-General of Lagos State Mr Kazeem Adeniji (SAN), noted that inadequate number of appellate court panels was crippling justice delivery and affecting faith in the judiciary.
“There is a need for appointment of more justices. Justices in Lagos are overworked. Lagos should have not less than three panels. The NBA calls for immediate appointment of more justices,” Usoro said.
He urged the National Assembly to amend the Court of Appeal Act “so that no division should have less than six justices, while Lagos, Abuja and Port Harcourt should have not less than between 10 and 15 justices.”
The NBA observed that some divisions of the court “have less than three justices” and that access to justice will be affected if justices are unable to hear cases due to lack of quorum.
The Association praised Justice Bulkachuwa for showing what a girl-child could achieve when given the chance and opportunity.
It noted that over the years the appellate courts were all male dominated, noting that in 2005, out of 86 justices of court of appeal only 23 were females.
“With such a poor record in gender diversity, the epoch-making achievement of Bulkachuwa truly calls for celebration.
“Corrective steps should be taking in enlarging the coast of our diversity and gender inclusion,”NBA president said
Onigbanjo, who spoke earlier, also called for more Justices for the Lagos division.
“Cases are already adjourned till 2021, we therefore urge my lord to create more panels (judges) for Lagos so that those who sit in Lagos will not be overburdened.
“Also to ensure that appeals are speedily determined”.
Onigbanjo said more judges would reduce the frustration experienced by both litigants and their counsel especially when appeals were giving long dates.
Of Bulkachuwa’s career, he noted that she was the first female president of the court of appeal, “one of the last amazons” and that her qualities and contributions in the nation’s jurisprudence was evident in her exemplary judgments.
“She has made exemplary judgments, in the last election, my lord recused herself from the election tribunal panel, even after a full panel found her worthy,” Onigbanjo said.
Chief Olanipekun, who spoke on behalf of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN), Justice Bulkachuwa, congratulated the outgoing president for her good works in the judiciary while in office.
He backed the call for more divisions of the court and urged the executive arm of the government to provide adequate infrastructure for the courts to make it conducive for lawyers and litigants.
“I will align myself with the initial speaker that Lagos needs more justices, even the other divisions,” he said.
Olanepakun lamented that the Judiciary was being unfairly attacked by segments of society, warning that this was a dangerous trend.
“The judiciary is being accused, bruised over the media, we need to salvage it,” he said.
He further sought a clearer succession system for the judiciary.
Olanipekun said: “As you are retiring, we should have known who you are handing over to. There cannot be a vacuum in the judiciary, it leads to destabilising the judiciary.
Mrs Balogun SAN urged the Lagos State Government to donate land on Lagos Mainland for the expansion of the appellate court.
Responding, Justice Bulkachuwa said she was able to attend school the time when female education was yet to be accepted due to her father being educated.
She said her family supported her and encouraged her to be the best she could be.
“As I go into retirement, I will go with the lessons I have learnt from my experience so far,” Bulkachuwa said.
Earlier, the Presiding Justice of the Court’s Lagos division, Justice Mohammed Garba, said justice Bulkachuwa brought unprecedented and enviable development in the court.
“Welfare of judges and that of members of staff as well as infrastructure have improved”, Justice Garba said.