The Gombe branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has strongly opposed the closure of the Gombe Division of the Court of Appeal. The association expressed dissatisfaction with the decision to transfer all appellate cases from Gombe to Maiduguri, Borno State.
In a statement released after an emergency virtual congress on May 13, 2025, the NBA said the move threatens access to justice in the region. NBA Gombe Chairman, Benjamin Sati, presided over the meeting which included legal practitioners from across the state.
The NBA described the decision as unjust and burdensome to lawyers and litigants, who must now travel long distances to attend court. The association highlighted increased security threats along the Gombe-Maiduguri road, where insurgent attacks have resumed.
The NBA further warned that its members may boycott all court sittings in Maiduguri as a form of protest against the relocation. “All members shall boycott sittings of the Court in Maiduguri,” the association stated.
Lawyers and law firms that receive hearing notices have been advised to respond with formal letters. These letters must cite insecurity as their reason for non-attendance. The response must include a ₦1,000 remita payment per letter, as directed by the association.
The Gombe NBA also plans to seek a meeting with Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya to discuss the closure’s implications. The lawyers hope to persuade the state government to intervene and help restore the Gombe Division.
The association reiterated its commitment to justice in the state. It also urged authorities to reconsider the decision in the interest of public safety and legal accessibility.
