Onnoghen: Lawyers In Edo Boycott Courts.
Benin - There was full compliance by lawyers in Edo state, following the directive of the National Executive Committee (NEC), Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to embark on a Two-day warning boycott of courts across the country.
NBA President, Paul Usoro on Monday in Abuja said the boycott was to express their displeasure over the suspension of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen "without due process" by the executive.
Allafricapost visited the Federal High Court, Court of Appeal, State High Court, Magistrate court and others in the state capital, and observed litigants were loitering around the courtrooms, as lawyers were seen in clusters discussing the rift between the two arms.
Speaking with journalists, Publicity Secretary of NBA in Benin, Douglas Ogbankwa Esq explained that, as early as 7am on Tuesday the compliance team were already in the courts premises to enforce the directive.
Ogbankwa Esq who doubles as the chairman of the compliance committee noted, it is a warning boycott, adding NBA next action maybe a total shutdown of the courts system.
"Whether it is federal high court, state high court, court of appeal, magistrate court, customary court, district customary court, any court at all, there is a total shutdown of courts", Ogbankwa said.
Also, a legal practitioner, Douglas Uhunmwangho Esq maintained that though regrettable, the lawyers had no choice than to adhere to the directive.
According to Uhunmwangho Esq, "We regret the negative impact of the boycott on litigants and the society, but we believe it is a course that is worth fighting".
A litigant, Prince Abieyuwa Ehue who spoke with Allafricapost during a visit to the state High Court at Sapele Road, expressed disappointed over the development as he could not secure the next adjournment date of his case.
"We came this morning and met the courtroom locked up with respect to the suspension of the former CJN.
"I sympathize with those in my kind of position today because the announcement came very late, and there is nothing we can do about it", the litigant and Enogie designate of Ebvo- Uzama village said.
Meanwhile, the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on Monday adjourned indefinitely, the hearing in the case of false assets declaration filed against the suspended CJN.
According to the tribunal which had earlier ignored restraining orders from the Federal High Court, FCT High Court and the National Industrial Court, it is an obligation to obey the interim order granted by the Court of Appeal on the matter.
“Following the January 24 order made by the Court of Appeal to stay proceedings here, the trial is adjourned sine die,’’ The Tribunal chairman, Danladi Umar said.
President Muhammadu Buhari had suspended Onnoghen after receiving an order from the CCT, and swear in Chief Justice Ibrahim Muhammad Tanko on acting capacity.
NBA President, Paul Usoro on Monday in Abuja said the boycott was to express their displeasure over the suspension of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Walter Onnoghen "without due process" by the executive.
Allafricapost visited the Federal High Court, Court of Appeal, State High Court, Magistrate court and others in the state capital, and observed litigants were loitering around the courtrooms, as lawyers were seen in clusters discussing the rift between the two arms.
Speaking with journalists, Publicity Secretary of NBA in Benin, Douglas Ogbankwa Esq explained that, as early as 7am on Tuesday the compliance team were already in the courts premises to enforce the directive.
Ogbankwa Esq who doubles as the chairman of the compliance committee noted, it is a warning boycott, adding NBA next action maybe a total shutdown of the courts system.
"Whether it is federal high court, state high court, court of appeal, magistrate court, customary court, district customary court, any court at all, there is a total shutdown of courts", Ogbankwa said.
Also, a legal practitioner, Douglas Uhunmwangho Esq maintained that though regrettable, the lawyers had no choice than to adhere to the directive.
According to Uhunmwangho Esq, "We regret the negative impact of the boycott on litigants and the society, but we believe it is a course that is worth fighting".
A litigant, Prince Abieyuwa Ehue who spoke with Allafricapost during a visit to the state High Court at Sapele Road, expressed disappointed over the development as he could not secure the next adjournment date of his case.
"We came this morning and met the courtroom locked up with respect to the suspension of the former CJN.
"I sympathize with those in my kind of position today because the announcement came very late, and there is nothing we can do about it", the litigant and Enogie designate of Ebvo- Uzama village said.
Meanwhile, the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT) on Monday adjourned indefinitely, the hearing in the case of false assets declaration filed against the suspended CJN.
According to the tribunal which had earlier ignored restraining orders from the Federal High Court, FCT High Court and the National Industrial Court, it is an obligation to obey the interim order granted by the Court of Appeal on the matter.
“Following the January 24 order made by the Court of Appeal to stay proceedings here, the trial is adjourned sine die,’’ The Tribunal chairman, Danladi Umar said.
President Muhammadu Buhari had suspended Onnoghen after receiving an order from the CCT, and swear in Chief Justice Ibrahim Muhammad Tanko on acting capacity.
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