The Chief Judge of Kwara State, Justice Abiodun Adebara, has condemned the practice of filing frivolous petitions to satisfy difficult clients and frustrate case hearings.

Adebara, also Chairman of the Kwara State Judicial Service Commission, described the practice as unbecoming of members of the legal profession and urged lawyers involved to desist.

He spoke in Ilorin, the state capital, during a special session marking the commencement of the 2026/2027 legal year and a valedictory session for a retired High Court judge.

“One area that gives me concern is the writing of frivolous petitions to please belligerent clients and frustrate the hearing of cases by some legal practitioners. It is for small-minded people who ought not to be in practice. This attitude by some legal practitioners should be totally discouraged,” he said.

The Chief Judge, however, stressed that genuine complaints against judicial officers or other parties would be investigated.

“However, every weighty, genuine and untainted complaint would be investigated,” he said.

Adebara also expressed concern over petitions seeking the transfer of cases that had taken several years to reach advanced stages.

“It is generally nauseating to see legal practitioners writing petitions for transfer of cases that have taken years to get to the defence stage. Should such an application be granted and the case has to start de novo, this will definitely not be in the interest of justice,” he said.

He also frowned on unnecessary adjournments, urging lawyers to be prepared to proceed with their cases or face appropriate consequences.

The Chief Judge called on the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to take firm disciplinary action against lawyers who engage in unethical conduct.

“Members of the Bar are ministers in the temple of justice. As such, you have a duty to defend the independence of the judiciary and help build public trust,” he said.

“The leadership of the Bar is accordingly enjoined not to hesitate to take prompt disciplinary actions against members who engage in unethical practice for selfish and narrow reasons at the expense of the greater glory of the legal profession.”

Adebara also raised concerns over the shortage of judges and magistrates in the state, saying the situation had contributed to the backlog of cases in the courts.

He said the performance of the High and Area Courts had been affected by the insufficient number of judicial officers available to handle cases that had accumulated over the years.

“It is in this wise that I want to intimate Governor AbdulRaman AbdulRazaq that we would come with a request for more appointments for the High Court as well as the lower courts to enable these courts to drastically reduce the backlog of cases,” he said. (The Nation)

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