Litigants Stranded As Lagos Magistrates Embark On Dubai Retreat

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

Justice Oluwafunmilayo Atilade, Lagos Chief Judge

This is not the best of time for litigants in various courts in Lagos as their matter suffered set back owing to the annual retreat embarked by some Magistrates in Dubai city of the United Arab Emirates.
The retreat commenced Monday and was expected to last for one week.
P.M. EXPRESS findings revealed that most Magistrates court have been in temporary vacation due to the retreat and have affected every activity at the various courts.
At the various courts visited which include Igbosere, Yaba, Ebute-Meta, Apapa, Ikeja, Isolo, Ejigbo and Ogba, the story is the same.
Litigants who have criminal or civil matters, with lamentations, had to meet the court registrars and take a new date due to absence of Magistrates.
Awaiting Trial suspects that were remanded in various prisons and brought to court for trial were returned to prison and will now stay longer until a new date for trial fixed.
Those who wanted to perfect the bail condition of their relations or friends had to wait for another one week pending when the Magistrates will return to the country and resume work.
According to some litigants, especially those who wanted to perfect bails, they were not informed of the retreat and most of them are stranded and do not know what to do next.
They said they were informed by the registrars who asked them to wait till next week when the Magistrates will resume.
Some litigants alleged the plan was improper as they supposed to make adequate arrangement bearing in mind there are suspects languishing in prisons.
However, a source within the State Justice Ministry who confirmed the Dubai retreat, told our correspondent that not all Magistrates are attending the retreat.
The source said the retreat was in batches and was planed in such a way that in every court there must be a Magistrate who must attend to the needs of the litigants.