NBA 2024 Annual General Conference: Let there be synergy between us, Lagos CJ tells lawyers

JUSTICE KAZEEM ALOGBA 

The need for greater synergy between the judiciary and legal practitioners to address the growing issue of frivolous cases has been advocated for.

Justice Kazeem Alogba, the Chief Judge (CJ) of Lagos State made the call at a cocktail held at the Nigerian Law School, Lagos, to welcome lawyers across the country to the Nigerian Bar Association 2024 Annual General Conference.

Justice Alogba equally stressed the need to restore public confidence in the judiciary by curbing unnecessary litigation that clogs the court system and delays the delivery of justice, insisting that frivolous cases waste the time of the court and erode public trust in the judiciary's ability to deliver timely and fair justice. 

The Lagos CJ requested that legal practitioners exercise more discretion in the cases they bring to court and ensure that only those with substantial legal merit proceed.

Justice Alogba said: “This approach would help to reduce the backlog of cases, improve efficiency, and enhance the judiciary's credibility.

“This appeal is in line with broader judicial reforms being advocated across Nigeria, including the adoption of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms to handle less complex cases.”

On his part, the President of the NBA, Yakubu Mikyau (SAN), in his remarks, appealed to lawyers to protect the sanctity of the judiciary as the last hope of the common man. 

Mikyau (SAN) equally emphasised the need for lawyers to uphold ethical standards, avoid frivolous cases, and work towards a more equitable and accessible justice system. 

He revealed that his appeal became necessary with broader efforts by the NBA, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice and the National Judicial Council (NJC) to restore public confidence in the judiciary and ensure that it functions as a fair and reliable institution for all Nigerians.

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