Enugu Lawyers stage protest over suspension of physical Court sittings (video)

Legal practitioners in Nsukka and Obollo-Afor areas of Enugu State have staged a protest against the continued refusal of judges to resume physical court sittings, warning that the situation is undermining the administration of justice and causing hardship for litigants.

The lawyers, who marched through major streets in the two judicial divisions, expressed concern over what they described as a prolonged disruption of court activities, which they said has led to a growing backlog of cases and denied many citizens timely access to justice.

Carrying placards with various inscriptions, the protesters called on the relevant judicial authorities to urgently address the situation and restore normal court operations. They argued that the absence of physical sittings has brought legal proceedings to a near standstill, leaving numerous civil and criminal matters unresolved.

According to the lawyers, many litigants have been forced to endure repeated adjournments and delays, while lawyers, court staff, and other stakeholders within the justice sector continue to suffer the consequences of the inactivity.

The protesting legal practitioners maintained that courts play a critical role in maintaining law and order and protecting the rights of citizens, stressing that prolonged disruption of judicial activities weakens public confidence in the justice system.

Speaking during the protest, some of the lawyers lamented that individuals seeking justice have been left stranded, with many cases unable to progress due to the absence of judges from the courtroom.

They noted that the delays have affected both criminal and civil proceedings, potentially prolonging the detention of some defendants awaiting trial and slowing the resolution of commercial, family, and land disputes.

The lawyers therefore appealed to the leadership of the judiciary and other relevant authorities to intervene immediately and ensure that judges return to physical court sittings without further delay.

They warned that continued inactivity could worsen congestion in the courts once proceedings eventually resume and further erode public trust in the judicial process.

The protesters emphasized that access to justice is a fundamental right and urged judicial authorities to prioritize measures that would guarantee the smooth and uninterrupted functioning of courts across the affected areas.

As of the time of filing this report, there had been no official response from the judicial authorities regarding the demands of the protesting lawyers. However, stakeholders are expected to closely monitor developments as pressure mounts for a resolution to the impasse and the restoration of full court operations in Nsukka and Obollo-Afor.