MY HUMBLE COMMENT
A well-deserved death; those who live by the sword deserve to die by the sword. The guy did not appeal his conviction and sentence probably because he knew he didn’t have any cause to. This notwithstanding, we all know that if the convict had appealed, he would have had the opportunity of living his life for at least another 25 years because the appeal would last at least 09-10 years at Nigeria’s Court of Appeal and thereafter about 15-25 years at Nigeria’s Supreme Court.
A Law School student appearing before my panel for Portfolio Assessment a few days ago on 04 September 2024, was so sad to announce to the Panel that he was at the Supreme when a matter was adjourned from 2024 to 2028.
QUESTIONS ARISING
What impression are we leaving in the mind of such a Bar aspirant? What type of lawyer would he be, upon call to the bar?
With due respect, Nigeria’s judiciary has reasonably proven to be grossly INEFFECTIVE in fulfilling its objectives to our society. The judiciary is thus among the major contributors to, and enablers of, the problems of Nigeria; among the worst hindrances to Nigeria’s progress and stability. The worst part is that no one (within or without the judiciary) is doing anything at all, currently, to change this nauseating situation; the judiciary and its leaders are either UNSERIOUS or CLUELESS about the way out. It’s therefore clear that the future of justice delivery, and by extension of the country, is bleak; hopelessness pervades our society.
I respectfully crave to be invited on national TV to discuss more on this. It’s time to begin to ask uncomfortable questions and to demand immediate answers from those who lead us. To whom much is given, much is expected in return. With due respect, Nigeria’s judiciary receives much but gives too little in return. The maxim that “Justice delayed is justice denied” means that if legal redress or equitable relief is available for a party that has suffered some injuriy, but is not coming in a timely fashion, it is effectively the same as having no redress at all. Hence those who argue that “delay of justice is injustice” are right. In the book, A People’s History of the United States: 1492 – Present, Howard Zinn wrote: “The cry of the poor may not always be just, but if you don’t listen to it, you will never know what justice is”.:See: “Nigeria’s Supreme Court About The Slowest In The World” By Sylvester Udemezue (21 June 2022; https://guardian.ng/features/law/nigerias-supreme-court-about-slowest-in-the-world/
FOR FURTHER READING:
(2). Prolonged Justice Dispensation As The Bane Of Nigeria’s Judiciary: Leadership By Example As The Cure ” By Sylvester Udemezue (11 August 2021; TheNigeriaLawyer)
(3). “Let Only High-profile Nigerians Fund The Supreme Court; The Supreme Court Of Nigeria Is A court Of/for Only High-profile Cases”
By Sylvester Udemezue (17 June 2022; TheNigerianVoice);
(4). “How Leaders of Nigeria’s Judiciary Dissipate Valuable Time on Irrelevancies to the Detriment of Effective, Efficient Administration of Justice (Part 1)” By Sylvester Udemezue (17 May 2020; TheGrundNorm) ;
(5). “Continual Shutdown Of Courts As A “Demonic Stronghold” Obstructing Effective Justice Administration In Nigeria” By Sylvester Udemezue (Thenigerialawyer: April 06, 2021);
(6). Sylvester C. Udemezue, ‘Snail-Paced Justice Dispensation In Nigerian Courts: Factors and Actors’ in U.D. Ikoni, T.F. Yerima, and P.H. Faga (eds), Judicial Autonomy, Administration of Justice and Contemporary Trends in Development of Legal Profession In Nigeria: Essays In Honour of His Lordship, Hon Justice S.O Itodo (1st, Wisdom Books & Publishing, Makurdi, Nigeria 2023) 511-530.
(7). “How To Stop The Unacceptable Delay In Court Justice Delivery In Nigeria” By Sylvester Udemezue (TheNigeriaLawyer; 03 January 2022).
God help the Nigerian Judiciary. Amen🙏
Respectfully,
Sylvester Udemezue (udems)
Proctor,
The Reality Ministry or Justice (TRM).
08109024556.
[email protected].
(07/09/2024)
