•Tasks lawyers on integrity, professionalism
By Ogalla Daniel
Kogi State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Josiah Majebi, has challenged lawyers to resist all temptation to compromise their integrity as he formally inaugurates High Court Appeal Panels in the state.
Justice Majebi gave the charge at the judiciary headquarters in Lokoja.
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According to him, lawyers’ reputation lies not in the number of cases they have won in courts but in the extent at which they maintain their integrity as ministers in the temple of justice.
The panels which began sitting immediately after the inauguration across the state, started hearing appeals emanating from lower courts in the state. It is the first of the quarterly High Court Appeal sessions for the year 2025.
The CJ who said the vast area of coverage of the jurisdiction of the High Court of Justice would have been enough to discourage the appeal session in the face of scarce resources and the current fasting embarked upon by both Muslim and Christian faithful, said meeting the schedule of quarterly sitting of the panels was imperative and therefore made possible under “reasonably conducive sacrifices” made by Judges of the state.
Addressing areas particular to smooth administration of justice in the state, the CJ harped on harmonious professional relationship between the Bench and the Bar stressing the essence of ethics and professionalism just as he also said the judiciary would always provide enabling environment for unhindered adjudication in the state by addressing genuine complaints.
“We feel very good about the NBA and have taken necessary steps to address the complaint of the Kabba branch for our inability to dedicate a panel to Kabba when we had the last appeal session. We are pleased to tell you that Kabba has one panel this time.”
Going further, the CJ frowned at frivolous requests for transfer of cases from Judges by litigants, a development over which he cautioned lawyers hinting that it touches on the integrity of the Bar.
“The number of requests for transfer of cases is becoming too much and you find out that they lack basis. How can lawyers be writing complaints for litigants to sign against a Judge or proceeding? It touches on the integrity of the Bar.
“Once your client gives you a brief, it should be taken that every other step he takes before the court, during the course of the case, is that of the lawyer and not that of the litigant. The court sees those steps as touching on your integrity.
“It is unimaginable that a client can write for a Judge to be changed simply because three rulings in a matter went against him. I have handled a case where up to eight rulings went against a party and eventually the judgment favored the same party. So your reputation does not lie in the number of cases you have won but as a true minister in the temple of justice.
“Please maintain the integrity of the bar. Let the litigant know the difference between you and them; don’t let them overshadow you and always ask them to be patient with the court.
“We are here inaugurating these panels today because you were not safsified with the decisions of the lower courts. If you are still not satisfied with the decisions of these panels, you are at liberty to go to the Court of Appeal and from there to the Supreme Court. So I plead with the NBA to look at this issues critically.”
The CJ disclosed that some courts in the state which were not functioning in the past, due to dilapidation of their structures, have been renovated and the courts have resumed activities. He reiterated the determination of the High Court of Justice to dispense justice fairly and within time just as he also revealed that cases would henceforth be shared amongst courts within proximities. For faster administration of justice, he added, rules of the High Court of Justice which are due for review would be done with the inclusion of the NBA in the review committee.
“Last year when we were to appoint new Judges, we were criticized for using our Conference Hall as makeshift courtroom. Petitions were written against me that our High Court sitting in Dekina, Ajaokuta and Agassa were not functional. We only improvised to avoid wasting your precious times and to accelerate hearing.
“For the same reason, we have resolved that whenever we discover that courts from where cases are emanating are already saturated, we’ll not hesitate to move cases from such courts to neighboring courts so as to save time. Though it is obvious that we are having more cases than our number of Judges, but our Judges are up and doing and we wouldn’t want them to be distracted by calls for transfer of cases over flimsy excuses.
“We are already taking steps to ensure that our rules are reviewed and the review committee will include members of the NBA” he informed the gathering.
Speaking earlier at the event, Barr. Idakwo Tanko, had thanked the CJ for creating the opportunity for legal practitioners to take their cases from the lower courts to higher courts saying the commitment enhances legal practice in Kogi state.
According to him, the practice creates an environment for litigants to continue to have confidence in the activities of the Kogi State Judiciary
both at the judiciary level and for those practicing at the outer bar.
Speaking further, he commended the Chief Judge for his continuous participation in the activities of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in the state and also rendering assistance to the organisation whenever it is required. He pledged the full cooperation of the Bar throughout the appeals session across the state.
