By J. O. Aikpokpo-Martins and Kunle Edun
Dateline: 22/2/23.
A matter came up today before High Court No.2 Asaba, in which we are the Claimants. The Defendants are the Governor of Delta State, the Chief Judge of Delta State, the President of the Delta State Customary Court of Appeal, the Speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly, the Delta State Judiciary Service Commission, and the Accountant General of Delta State.
It’s a case where we seek the court’s intervention in enforcing the mandatory provisions of sections 120 & 121(1)(2)(3) & (4) of the CFRN which provide that the funding of the Judiciary shall be a first line charge on the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the State and without the interference of the Governor or any Executive body. The case was taken today and adjourned to early March 2023 for judgment.
An interesting thing happened in court before the case was mentioned, and it’s worth commending. The legal profession is a profession that cherishes mutual respect and humility. Privileges are due and granted to senior advocates because of their positions and the distinction attained in the practice of law. However, as Chief Niyi Akintola, SAN once rightly espoused, being a senior advocate should make a senior advocate to be consciously more humble and considerate in assuming those privileges.
In court today, a senior advocate was in court, Mr. Erondu, SAN. It was his right to mention his case out of turn. However, without being prompted but considering the fact that we were former National officers of the NBA who were in court to also do a pro bono public interest case, the learned silk asked us to mention our case first. Note, we never asked. Graciously, we accepted the offer and mentioned our case first. The case took quite some time, and it was adjourned for judgment.
This very magnanimous act alone earned more respect for the senior advocate. We feel duty bound to publicly acknowledge and appreciate this very humble but significant gesture by our learned silk in our recognition. God bless him.
Silkhood is truly a virtue.
J. O. Aikpokpo-Martins & Kunle Edun.
