Moses Ebute, SAN Pays Courtesy Visit To FHC CJ, Highlights Issues Bothering Law Practice In Federal High Court
The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Abuja Branch (Unity Bar) Thursday led a delegation consisting of his Executive Committee, Elders and leaders of the Abuja Bar on a courtesy visit to the Honourable Chief Judge of the Federal High Court (FHC), Justice John Terhemba Tsoho.
On his entourage were Patrick Okolo, SAN; Chief Paul Harris Ogbole, SAN; Audu Anuga, SAN; past Chair, Dr Princess F. Frank-Chukwuani; past secretary and “young elder” of the branch, Afam Okeke; members of the EXCO such as the Secretary, Prince Adebiyi Adetosoye; Assistant Secretary, Chinelo Audrey Ofoegbunam; Welfare Secretary, Lady Ngozi Agubalu; Ikemefuna Onyeka (Publicity Secretary); Emmanuel Adedeji (Treasurer) and Jerry O. Musa (Financial Secretary).
In his address to the Chief Judge, the Learned Silk took the opportunity of the visit to draw his attention to several issues of justice delivery and administration as they affect the Bar, the judiciary and the public.
Judicial Calendar
“The absence of a predictable judicial calendar is a big clog in the wheel of progress in the justice delivery service. Therefore, there is the dire need to have one every year so that Easter vacation, Annual vacation, Christmas vacation can be known well in advance to avoid mistaken adjournment of cases to such periods. The same thing goes for Annual Judges Conference and holding of Legal year ceremony or event. Hence, if the days are captured and publicised in the judicial calendar, cases of mistaken adjournments shall be nipped in the bud.”
Relationship between the Bar and the Bench
“As much as the Bar would want to continue to be the mouthpiece of the Bench, we equally want the Bench to help us do our job better. Hence the need to have a cordial relationship between the Bar and the Bench so that the internal brotherly and professional frictions that may arise, can be discussed and settled amicably in the interest of our noble profession.”
Adjournment of Cases
“This extends to abrupt communication in open court that a court will not be sitting and counsel should take dates. This is considered most unfair to the bar and litigants who get discouraged in the process. We therefore suggest that my lord, the CJ directs that any court not sitting on a particular day (subject to sudden and unforeseen emergencies) should communicate to counsel in advance. This can even be simplified by communicating with the NBA leadership which will in turn broadcast same on its platform and counsel concerned may not need to travel all the way anymore.”
Nnamdi Kanu’s Trial
It is now common knowledge or an open secret that whenever Nnamdi Kanu’s trial comes up, judicial proceedings are grounded or halted in every other court except the trial court. Apart from that, lawyers and litigants are prevented from accessing these other courts even to take dates. People are subjected to security checks and restriction of movement around the court environment (lawyers, litigants and witnesses, some of whom come from far and near). We therefore suggest that his trial be conducted on Saturdays, or via zoom or anything around 2pm so that cases, lawyers and litigants do not suffer on account of one person’s trial.
We humbly urge my lord to look into this.”
“Finally we pledge our total and unalloyed support to your lordship and the entire judiciary”, he concluded.
While welcoming the delegation to the headquarters of the Federal High Court in Abuja, the Honourable Chief Judge stated that the Bar and Bench being ministers in the administration of justice are poised, to achieve one goal and must always be seen to work together as a family.
He appreciated the gesture and stated that the FHC is encouraged to show more understanding and cordiality towards improving on the already existing relationship between the Bar and Bench of the FHC.
In response to the issues raised by the branch Chairman, Justice Tsoho assured the delegation that these important issues will be addressed and looked into. He said an attempt has been made at having a judicial calendar but decried the unpredictability of our clime where it may be difficult or unrealistic to keep to a calendar. Though the FHC rules reflect some of the holidays and vacations, he said some others are not specific as there may be some shifts in the days.
He also stated that Bar/Bench fora are a bit challenging to organise as both sides are always busy but urged that Bar and Bench relations should be cordial, as both are members of the same family and grievances should be presented in as courteous a manner as possible, so that the issues do not get out of hand.
He said the problems associated with Nnamdi Kanu’s trial are not the court’s fault; that the security issues surrounding that particular trial are beyond the court, though the FHC has tried to mitigate the hardships caused the public when the trial comes up. One example was evidenced yesterday, the 16th of February, 2022 when the court asked the security agencies not to block access roads around the Federal High Court, when the trial came up. He also said the court is looking at the option of moving Nnamdi Kanu’s trial to a different location.
In his vote of thanks, the Secretary of the NBA Abuja branch, Prince Adebiyi Adetosoye, thanked the Chief Judge for all the support extended to the branch and prayed for more cordial relationship between the Abuja Bar and the FHC bench. Highlight of the visit was the presentation of copies of the branded NBA Abuja branch diary to the Honourable Chief Judge, by the Chairman and Secretary of the Unity Bar. The Chief Judge on his part, also presented copies of the Federal High Court diary and calendars to the Unity Bar delegation.
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