Two Lagos-based lawyers, Mr Chibuikem Opara and Mr Chris Ayiyi, on Sunday charged the judiciary to improve on service delivery in the coming new legal year.
According to the lawyers, it is important to take stock of the judiciary now that the courts are about to embark on annual vacation.
The lawyers made their opinions known while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews in Lagos.
A Partner at the Justification Chambers, Ikeja, Mr Chibuikem Opara, said that service delivery had not been very smooth.
According to him, the wheel of justice grinds very slowly in the country.
He said that apart from political and high profile cases, the life span of an average case in Nigeria, takes a minimum of 20 years to conclude from High Court to the Supreme Court.
He said, “My expectation from the judiciary for the coming new legal year is that service delivery should be hastened, especially if we consider that justice delayed is justice denied.
“I also expect the judiciary to use this vacation period to clean its house and put same in order.”
Opara, said that it was a known fact that all was not well in the judiciary.
He said that recently there was accusations from the Supreme Court justices against the then head of the court.
He said “Though, the national assembly maybe carrying out investigations, it is the judiciary that needs to stand up to its responsibility.”
Opara was of the view that the judiciary is seen as the hope of the common people, therefore, it should not preach integrity with stained hands.
The Principal Partner, Ayiyi Chambers, Mr Chris Ayiyi, advised the Chief Justice of the Federation to give directives to conflicting judgement of coordinate jurisdiction, mostly the Federal High Courts.
“I know presentation of facts may differ and courts base their judgement on facts before them. However, whereby judgment conflicts, the first judgement should take precedent except when the said judgement is appealed against.
“Speedy trial of certain offences should be considered.
“Also, legal dress code should be addressed for proper understanding of practicing lawyers,” Ayiyi said.