SAN FRANCISCO, September 19, (THEWILL) – The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, has declared that Nigeria’s Supreme Court is the most overworked in the world.
Justice Mohammed spoke in Abuja during a special court session to mark the commencement of the Supreme Court’s 2016/2017 new legal year and the swearing-in of newly conferred Senior Advocates of Nigeria.
He revealed that the apex court entertained 1,489 matters in the year explaining that the figure consisted of 908 motions, 581 substantive appeals and 268 judgments.
“Indeed, during this period we received about 10 new appeals per week, most of which were interlocutory in nature,” he said.
“Consequently, we have taken the historic step towards the expansion of the single track of justice delivery in the court by allowing for appeals to be mediated where the parties and issues permit.
“With these statistics given above, I dare to say that in the 2015/2016 legal year, our court confirmed its status as arguably the most overworked Supreme Court anywhere in the World.
“I am proud to say that by the will of Almighty, I am leaving the Supreme Court in a better shape than I met it.
“Indeed, in the past year, this court has witnessed numerous improvements both in terms of physical infrastructure and statutory functioning that will no doubt put us on the cusp of greater accomplishments.
“This legal year has certainly been an eventful one. We have rowed against the proverbial tides and withstood the blistering winds and gale forces.
“Indeed, we must appreciate and commend the efforts made by our justices, and all judicial officers and staff of the various strata of our judiciary towards enhancing the administration of justice.
“While we are waiting for the confirmation of the appointment of two justices of the court by the Senate, the NJC is expected to consider and recommend the appointment of two additional justices at its meeting on September 28.”
The CJN also bemoaned instances where lower courts of coordinate jurisdiction render conflicting judgments on similar cases and at some instances, ignore established precedents saying they were harmful to the integrity and reputation of the judiciary.
He revealed that the worrying trend was currently being investigated by the National Judicial Council (NJC), assured that appropriate punitive actions would be taken against judges found wanting in this regard.
“It is with great trepidation and dismay that I note the growing disregard for laid down precedent in decisions from various levels of courts, even the appellate court.
“I am of the firm conviction that every court in Nigeria is bound by the decisions of the Supreme Court and shall not graft a different outcome from those expressly laid down by the Supreme Court.
“Such departures from precedent therefore risk creating the type of confusion, which is inimical to the trust reposed in us by the people and we risk our reputations, our integrity and even our existence by such indiscipline.
“Several conflicting decisions were recklessly dished out by the Court of Appeal last year in appeals arising from various decisions of the election petitions tribunals, given on election petitions filed by the parties who lost in the general elections conducted in April 2015.
He however used the occasion to swear-in 22 senior lawyers promoted to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
Story by David Oputah
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