News
Lawyers stage protest, shut Enugu court over Judges’ absence
Lawyers from the Nsukka and Obollo-Afor areas of Enugu State on Tuesday sealed the High Court in Obollo-Afor in protest against the prolonged absence of physical court proceedings in the area.
The legal practitioners accused judges posted to the area of failing to sit physically for several years, a situation they said has negatively affected access to justice and legal practice in the region.
Judges assigned to judicial zones in Enugu North Senatorial District reportedly adopted virtual court proceedings due to security concerns, a move the lawyers argue has effectively led to the abandonment of courtrooms.
The latest action follows an earlier protest on June 3, when lawyers from the district marched through major streets in Nsukka to draw attention to what they described as the neglect of physical court sittings following the introduction of virtual hearings.
The lawyers accused the Enugu judiciary of creating unnecessary bottlenecks by relocating active case files from local judicial divisions to Enugu, the state capital.
The protests affected all five judicial divisions in the zone: Nsukka, Obollo-Afor, Enugu-Ezike, Ogbede and Umulokpa.
On Tuesday, the lawyers closed the high court in Obollo-Afor to press home their demands.
In a communiqué jointly issued by branches of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Nsukka and Obollo-Afor branches, the legal body accused the Afojulu Raymond Ozoemena, chief judge of Enugu state, of neglecting the concerns of lawyers and court workers in Enugu north senatorial district over prolonged virtual court hearings.
The NBA branches said high court judges assigned to the district have not conducted physical sittings for over three years.
The legal association said lawyers had embarked on a boycott of Enugu high court proceedings in the district for over two weeks following a peaceful protest held on June 3, 2026, over the continued use of virtual hearings
Follow Us on Google Discover
BREAKING: Tinubu confirms absence from 81st UN General Assembly in New York, directs Shettima to lead Nigerian delegation
2027: ‘Obi will defeat Tinubu by a wider margin in Lagos’ — NDC
NDC disowns OK Movement campaign council, refers John Ugulu for discipline
Raphinha set to sign new Barcelona contract until 2030
Four Nigerians receive UNGA Humanitarian, Goodwill Ambassador honours in New York
‘We Won’t Go Back to Egypt’ — Showunmi rejects Atiku’s petrol subsidy proposal
NSCDC names new Niger commandant following death of miners in custody
ECOWAS court set to hold 2026 international conference in Dakar
Nigerians already seeing reductions in transport fares – Tinubu
PL: Brighton thrash Arsenal 3-0, end Gunners’ winning run
Sowore as best president Nigeria refuses to have: by Farooq A. Kperogi
‘Before lecturing Tinubu, you must answer questions from your past’ — Presidency to Atiku
Why EFCC must prosecute Atiku – Agbonayinma
NSCDC detains suspended Niger commandant, 21 officers over deaths of 37 miners
‘The Site Belongs To Babangida’ – Survivor links deaths of miners in NSCDC custody to ex-Military Ruler
BREAKING: Court of Appeal overturns Lokoja ruling, upholds NDC’s registration
Nigerians already seeing reductions in transport fares – Tinubu
Tinubu may shun UN General Assembly in New York – Fresh details emerge
‘Life of Every Nigerian Matters’ — Tinubu orders probe into miners’ deaths in NSCDC custody
Charly Boy celebrates daughter Adaeze’s engagement to female partner
Soludo pardons native doctor Akwa Okuko Tiwara Aki, appoints him Youth Reformation Ambassador
I would resist alternative candidate sponsored against me as Governor – Orji Kalu speaks on Wike, APC Govs feud
Don’t be ashamed, steal my idea and crash petrol price to reduce hardship for Nigerians — Atiku to Tinubu
‘Atiku unfit to rule Nigeria’ — APC Campaign Council Cites $500,000 Mambilla Arbitration
‘Before lecturing Tinubu, you must answer questions from your past’ — Presidency to Atiku
BREAKING: Tinubu confirms absence from 81st UN General Assembly in New York, directs Shettima to lead Nigerian delegation
Deji Adeyanju, Buhari others appointed as FG constitutes committee to probe NSCDC custody deaths (Full List)
‘We Won’t Go Back to Egypt’ — Showunmi rejects Atiku’s petrol subsidy proposal
Anambra Debt Row: Expect more Peter Obi’s records in coming days – Presidency