By PAMELA EBOH. Awka

The Supreme Court has offered, with effect from today and for a period of one month, transitional period, a window for lawyers and their clients to regularize their appeals in compliance with the Rules for implementation of Order 4, Rule 15 of the Supreme Court Rules, 2024.

The notice dated 4th February 2025 and approved by the Honourable Chief Justice of the Federation, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, said that a 30-day window has been granted which will commence on February 10, 2025, to March 12, 2025, to enable counsel and litigants who have not applied for an extension of time to file their processes in pending appeals.

It noted that at the expiration of the transitional period, no further applications for extension of time shall be entertained in respect of appeals where parties have failed to take necessary steps within the stipulated timeframe and are consequently barred by the provisions of Order 4, Rule 15 of the Rules.

The notice partly reads: ?Counsel/litigants are advised to take advantage of this transitional period to regularize their appeals and ensure compliance with the Rules.

?Counsel/litigants availing themselves of this transitional period shall still be required to pay all applicable default fees as prescribed by the Rules.

?This concession does not wave financial obligations related to late filings, and parties must ensure compliance with all applicable rules regarding fees and other procedural requirements.?

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has welcomed the apex court?s gesture and advised counsel and litigants to take advantage of the transitional period.

NBA in a statement issued over the weekend further urged all legal practitioners to comply with the directive within the stipulated timeframe to avoid any adverse consequences on pending appeals. (NBA)