FCT Court Appeals For Renovation Of Complex Damaged In EndSARS Protest
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Customary Court in Dutse, Abuja, has appealed to the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to assist in renovating its court complex, which suffered extensive damage during the 2020 EndSARS protests.
Court President Aderinto Adesoji made the appeal during a resumed hearing in a divorce case between Chiwendu Nwadi and Emeka Nwadi, held at a temporary location in Ushafa, Abuja. Following the destruction of its facilities, the Dutse Customary Court has been conducting hearings at a sister court in Ushafa. The arrangement allows the Ushafa court to hold sessions on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, while the Dutse court sits on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Both communities, situated about 17 kilometers apart, are within the Bwari Area Council of the nation’s capital.
During the session, Adesoji highlighted the ongoing challenge of scheduling conflicts due to limited court days, which has delayed cases, particularly those involving family matters such as child custody. He emphasized the urgency of such cases, stating that the restricted sittings hamper swift justice delivery.
Adesoji urged the NBA to expedite the renovation, recalling previous promises made by the association that are yet to be fulfilled.
Responding to the court’s appeal, the petitioner’s lawyer, Moses Ibe, assured that he would convey the message to the NBA’s Bwari branch for prompt action. Following the hearing, Ibe noted that the court’s relocation and limited availability have hindered timely justice, adding that the original intention behind establishing the Dutse court—to make justice more accessible—remains unmet due to the lack of renovations.
