…Demands Return to Physical Sessions

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Nsukka and Obollo-Afor branches, has accused the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice Afojulu Raymond Ozoemena, of neglecting the concerns of lawyers, litigants, and court workers in Enugu North Senatorial District over prolonged virtual court hearings.

The association said High Court judges assigned to the district have not conducted physical sittings for over three years, instead presiding over cases virtually from Enugu metropolis.

According to the NBA, this arrangement has increased financial burdens and hardship on legal practitioners and litigants seeking justice.

The position was contained in a communiqué titled “Virtual Court Hearing in High Court of Enugu State in Enugu North Senatorial District and Matters Incidental Thereto,” signed by the Chairmen of NBA Nsukka and Obollo-Afor branches, Barristers Christopher Agbo and Paul Odo.

The lawyers said members had embarked on a boycott of High Court proceedings in the district for over two weeks following a peaceful protest held on June 3, 2026, over the continued use of virtual hearings.

They alleged that a letter sent to the Chief Judge on March 23, 2026, had not received any response.

“The Chief Judge of Enugu State, in spite of receipt of our letter on the 23rd day of March, 2026, and our commencement of protest in consequence of the failure to address our concerns, has to this day not reacted in any way to the issues we raised,” the communiqué stated.

The NBA further recalled that an earlier directive by the Chief Judge instructing judges to return to their judicial divisions for physical sittings had been abandoned after initial compliance.

The association alleged that court operations later reverted to virtual hearings conducted from Enugu, sometimes outside designated courtrooms or even private residences.

It also claimed that most courts in Enugu North lack adequate infrastructure for virtual proceedings, with hearings often conducted using mobile phones and personal devices belonging to court staff and lawyers.

The lawyers further alleged that case files had been moved from Nsukka and Obollo-Afor registries to Enugu, making access to court documents more difficult and expensive for litigants.

They also criticized frequent disruptions in virtual hearings caused by poor network connectivity, describing the arrangement as inefficient and burdensome.

Responding to security concerns often cited for the virtual sittings, particularly along the Ugwuogo-Opi road, the NBA dismissed the justification, insisting it was not sufficient to suspend physical court operations.

The association noted that lawyers, court staff, and litigants continue to travel the same route daily for official duties.

It also compared the situation with other states facing higher security challenges, where physical court sittings still operate.

The NBA called on the Chief Judge to provide enhanced security arrangements for judges or offer official accommodation within the judicial divisions to address safety concerns.

It also rejected claims circulating on social media that its protest was politically motivated, insisting the action was strictly about judicial administration and access to justice.

The association said it would continue its boycott of High Court proceedings in Enugu North Senatorial District until its demands are addressed by the appropriate authorities. (Vanguard)

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