The Vice Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association and Chairman, Human Rights’ Committee of the Nigeria Bar Association, Ijebu – Ode branch, Mr. Moruff Balogun, has expressed his gratitude and also applauded the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun MFR, for his request to the President of the Court of Appeal, to create a division of the Court in Ogun State.
The delay in hearing cases pending at the Court of Appeal Ibadan division, is quite frustrating to both justice and to litigants.
Most parties/litigants in Ogun State perceive the Court of Appeal Ibadan division, as the major stumbling block in terms of quick justice dispensation, due to workload of cases before the court.
The record shows that almost 80% of the cases pending before the Court of Appeal, Ibadan division, are appeals from Ogun State, therefore, having a division of the said court in Ogun State is the best way to ensure justice is not buried alive, and also to forestall the litigants’ resort to self-help.
In as much as the law allows the litigants to ventilate their grievances and dissatisfactions emanating from the decisions of the trial court, further to the Court of Appeal and even up to the Supreme Court, one cannot therefore stop them from exercising such right. However, lawyers too are urged to desist from filling frivolous appeals. Not all the decisions of the trial courts deserve to be appealed against. Lawyers are expected to advise their clients within the ambit of the law.
Mr. Moruff also used this medium to call and appeal to all the stakeholders in Ogun State to join hands and voices with the Governor in his request to have the Court of Appeal division in Ogun State.
As a lawyer, how would you explain to a client that his appeal has been pending for 7 or 8 years without any green light?
Honestly, this is not the best for the proper and quick dispensation of justice.
Justice delayed is not only just denied, it is justice circumvented, justice mocked and the system of justice undermined.
The good people of Ogun state support the Governor’s request, and we pray it comes into reality within time. God bless Ogun state.
