Power outage has hit some courts in the Lagos State Judiciary, prompting lawyers to decry the situation and call for urgent intervention on the matter.

CITY LAWYER investigation shows that the situation peaked yesterday when one of the courts pointedly issued a notice that it would not sit due to power outage.

The notice reads: “Good morning everyone. This is to inform everyone that Hon. Justice Oshin’s Court will not be sitting today due to the power failure at Osborne courthouse being Tuesday the 27th day of February, 2024, concerned counsel please be informed, sorry for any inconveniences caused by this information. Thank you for your usual corporation and understanding. Registrars.”

Decrying the situation, a former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice wrote: “Shame to the news that power failure is responsible for Court not sitting. Power failure not caused by earthquake or sunami (sic) or tornado etc. Shame!”

Continuing, he wrote: “If you know how many millions of Naira, like Security Vote of Governors, that each CJ takes, every 30 Days, as imprest, and yet….”

Joining the fray, a Law teacher wrote: “Absolute shame on us. Nigerian judiciary generates more than enough funds to cater for the needs of the judiciary. Unfortunately, judiciary leaders are doing absolutely nothing to make the judiciary effective. And no one holds judiciary leaders to account. We operate with absolute impunity.” He added that “The probate registry alone generates billions yearly. Yet, courts are dormant. No movement forward. No improvements.”

CITY LAWYER investigation shows that the outage is not restricted to Lagos High Court, as some magistrates courts in the state are also affected.

Below are comments by some lawyers on a dedicated litigation platform, even as the Lagos State Judiciary is yet to speak on the source of the problem.

Good morning gentlemen

I am appearing before Hon Justice Ipaye sitting at Osborne today.

This is almost 1030 am
And All the Courts in Osborne are in darkness
Counsel cannot sit inside the Court because of the heat. I also fathered (sic) from a counsel who appwared (sic) here yesterday (Monday) that this was the same scenario that played out yesterday

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This is also the situation in Ikeja (High Court). The generator is now switched on around 10 am

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Good day everyone am in Apapa cash registry, and xxxxxxxxxx (name withheld) informed me that the admin knows what she is going through as there is neither light, data nor network to enable her assess each Process for payment. Am calling out to all NBA Rep to accelerate this concern and notify the judiciary of these in apapa jurisdiction to bring up facilities to enable seamless e-filing in apapa jurisdiction.

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I am just coming from Magistrate Court 6, Agbowa Ikorodu now.
The Court room situation is pathetic as the Courtroom was very hot and not conducive for sitting at all.- the Magistrate was using hand fan, whilst the Counsels and litigants were sweating very profusely. I was informed by the Court officials (and later saw) that the electric pole connecting the wires into the Court has fallen down, the xxxxxxxxx (name withheld) said they have complained in writing to the ACR admin but no response for over 3 weeks or so now.
The court needs 2-3 Standing fans to help air the Courtroom.

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Good afternoon dear cooleagues (sic)

Justice Akinlade of Lagos State High Court Osborne sat without light yeaterday (sic) and also sat like that today (Wednesday).

A tough feat judging by the heat and lack of power

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Good morning gentlemen

As at 1030 am today

Samuel Ilori Courthouse
Chief Magistrate Court Ogba is in darkness

Magistrates are all sitting in very hot courtrooms
Process officers are running their works and filings on the walkway close to their offices

Magistrate in Court 9A had to take a heat break twice in one hour

The generator normally is switched on by 9 am and is switched off by 2pm but since today it has NOT been switched on

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