Legal year: NBA boss calls for renovation of courtrooms

THE Chairman, Lagos branch, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Alex Muoka, has called for continued renovation of courtrooms across the country to mark the beginning of a new legal year.

Muoka made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Lagos.

NAN reported that the 2016/2017 legal year celebration is billed to commence in Lagos from September 26 to 30.

The celebration is to be flagged off with legal year services to be held simultaneously at the Cathedral Church, Marina, Lagos as well as the Central Mosques in Lagos.

Muoka commended the Lagos judiciary for the efforts so far in ensuring speedy disposal of cases, adding that there was still room for improvement.

He stressed the need for continuation in the renovation of courtrooms across the country to enhance and speed up the judicial process.

“Let me begin by saying that in this new legal year, we would like to see the continued renovation and construction of courtrooms as well as technological advancement in the electronic filing process.

“At the national level, we urge the judiciary to be up and doing in its duties of ensuring speedy disposal of cases,” he said.

According to Muoka, the new legal year should also be characterised by diligence on the part of lawyers who appear in court, since they are ministers in the temple of justice.

The chairman stressed the need for a working relationship between the bar and bench, adding that it would help promote the judicial process.

Muoka also called on members of the bar to concert efforts in helping to promote the legal profession.
He urged lawyers to shun the filing of applications geared at clogging the wheels of smooth administration of justice.

NAN reported that the legal year celebration would come to a close with a legal dinner to be held at the Nigerian Law School Lagos.