Stop Misusing Ex Parte Order, Akpabio Tells Judges

• Senate President Godswill Akpabio urges judges to curb misuse of ex parte orders, proposing strict oversight and defined sanctions
• Akpabio advocates for regular audits of ex parte orders, ongoing judicial education, and reforms to expedite civil litigations

Senate President Godswill Akpabio delivered a speech titled “Repositioning the Justice System, Constitutional, Statutory, and Operational Reforms for Access and Efficiency” at the National Summit on Justice in Abuja, urging judges to halt the misuse of ex parte orders, particularly in political cases.

He called upon the National Judicial Council (NJC) to exercise strict oversight to prevent the abuse of ex parte orders. Akpabio recommended prompt and decisive punishment for judges engaging in such abuses and proposed establishing clear standards governing the issuance of ex parte orders, accompanied by defined sanctions for violations.

Furthermore, he suggested that the NJC conduct regular audits and reviews of ex parte orders issued by judges to ensure compliance with established standards. This would enable the early identification of abuse patterns and the prompt administration of corrective measures.

Akpabio emphasized the importance of ongoing training and education for judges on the ethical and responsible use of judicial discretion in issuing ex parte orders.

He also advocated for reforms in interlocutory appeals in civil cases to accelerate judicial processes, reduce backlog, and prevent undue prolongation of litigations.

Additionally, Akpabio proposed modifying the process of obtaining the Attorney General’s consent before executing judgments to facilitate swifter execution, thereby enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the justice system.

He highlighted the commitment of the National Assembly Committee on Constitutional Amendment and the Committee on Amendment of the Electoral Act to integrate transformative justice reforms into ongoing amendments, aiming to fortify the Constitution and electoral framework.

Akpabio expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for appointing Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) as Minister of Justice and commended the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association and the National Judicial Council for their dedication and collaboration.

He stressed the need for unwavering commitment and concerted efforts from all stakeholders to realize the vision of enhancing justice delivery and upholding the rule of law in Nigeria. Akpabio called for support in building a 21st-century justice system, expressing confidence in achieving this goal through collective efforts.