S’Court begins 3-month publication of cause list on website

THE Supreme Court of Nigeria has started publishing its cause list for three months per time on its website.

This is a departure from the former practice where the court only published weekly cause list and the rulings on applications from chamber sitting on the said website.

The policy, according to the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen is deliberately targeted at the speedy dispensation of Justice and encouraged Counsel to take advantage of the initiative and prepare adequately ahead of hearings, to avoid any delays.

The Senior Special Assistant to the CJN on media, Awassam Bassey said in a statement yesterday that the Supreme Court diary is full with appeals set down for hearing up to the year 2021.

The CJN said the appeals would be heard and judgements will be delivered as necessary and in accordance with the Rules of the Court.

He added that the situation leaves no room for unnecessary adjournments arising from lack of diligent prosecution, poor preparations or non-appearance by Counsel.

Accordingly, the CJN said, it then means that any matter that is assigned a date must be heard and determined one way or the other on that date.

”For appeals that may be discovered to have defects, Counsel is advised to take necessary steps to amend such defects before the due hearing date,” Justice Onnoghen said and added that, ”everyone must come to the Court fully prepared for the business of the day.”

The CJN advised Counsel to obtain their official legal email addresses if they have not done so yet as communication with and service of processes at the Supreme Court remain only via the legal E-mail.