Lawyer Decries ‘Endless Delays’ In Nigeria’s Courts In Scathing Petition, Accuses Judiciary Of Frustrating Justice
A Nigerian lawyer, Odilim Basil Enwegbara, has written a scathing petition to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court decrying the pervasive issue of endless delays in the judicial system which he says has denied him justice in several cases filed against government agencies.
In the petition obtained by TheNigerialawyer, Enwegbara outlines his frustrating experiences in the Federal High Court where his cases have faced constant adjournments over several years without progress. He cites examples of cases coming up for mere mentions over three years after filing, only to be postponed repeatedly.
Enwegbara alleges that judges frequently set dates they are aware the court will not be sitting, while defense lawyers easily obtain adjournments through questionable means like claiming illness a day before proceedings. He laments having to endlessly provide money for bailiffs despite certainty cases will be stalled.
The delays have dragged his cases seeking recovery of allegedly stolen proposals from 2019 to present without near conclusion. Enwegbara asserts this tactic is deliberately employed to deny justice and tire out plaintiffs against the powerful.
He argues interminable adjournments, preliminary objections and other technicalities can drag cases indefinitely. He claims plaintiffs become frustrated and financially ruined pursuing justice endlessly, accused judges and lawyers of being complicit in obstructing cases rather than dispensing timely justice.
Enwegbara returned to Nigeria in 1999 inspired by leaders inviting diaspora to help national growth. But after his project proposals were allegedly stolen by government agencies, courts have failed to give him redress despite years in court.
He argues Nigeria’s judicial system does not give hope to common citizens and investors if proposals are stolen with impunity. Enwegbara says he wrote the petition even though the Chief Judge alone cannot fix a broken system tied by constraints. He calls for urgent reforms to enable Nigeria’s courts deliver justice efficiently.
