How to address growing issues of frivolous cases — Lagos CJ

The need for greater synergy between the judiciary and legal practitioners to address the growing issue of frivolous cases has been emphasised by the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba.

Justice Alogba made this call at a cocktail event in Nigeria Law School, Lagos to welcome lawyers across the country to this year Annual General Conference of the Nigerian Bar Association.

His call to action aims at restoring public confidence in the judiciary by curbing unnecessary litigation that clogs the court system and delays the delivery of justice.

Justice Alogba highlighted that frivolous cases not only waste the court’s time but also erode public trust in the judiciary’s ability to deliver timely and fair justice.

He urged legal practitioners to exercise more discretion in the cases they bring to court, ensuring that only those with substantial legal merit proceed.

According to him, this approach would help to reduce the backlog of cases, improve efficiency, and enhance the judiciary’s credibility.

The Chief Judge’s appeal is in line with broader judicial reforms being advocated across Nigeria, including the adoption of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms to handle less complex cases.

In a remark, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) appealed to lawyers to protect the sanctity of the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.

The NBA President emphasized the need for legal practitioners to uphold ethical standards, avoid frivolous cases, and work towards a more equitable and accessible justice system.

He noted that his appeal became necessary with broader efforts by the NBA, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Justice and the National Judicial Council, to restore public confidence in the judiciary and ensure that it functions as a fair and reliable institution for all Nigerians.