Proliferation of court order ridicules judicial system, lawyer laments

…says CJN invitation of judges good riddance

A Port Harcourt-based lawyer, Chioma Choko, has expressed concern over the insistent procurement of court injunctions and counter injunctions by politicians, which he alleged, has brought discredit to the judicial system in recent times.

The lawyer lamented the conflicting court orders emanating from different courts in the country, saying it puts doubts in the minds of the public and has made citizens lose confidence in the judiciary.

Choko, who made this disclosure on the sideline at the grand opening of Choko& Associates Chambers in Port Harcourt at the weekend, told The Guardian that he expects those on the bench and at the bar to collectively do that which is expected to save the profession from public ridicule.

He said: “You are aware that brutality from the aspect of the police is now becoming a normal thing, as a firm, we will ensure that those aspects of maltreatment coming from the public and private individuals are cut short to the minimum using the legal instruments.

“Different conflicting court orders is not encouraging, it puts doubts in the minds of the public it makes members of the public, lose confidence in the practice of law.

“It is expected of all of us to collectively do that which is expected to do so as not to put the system into public ridicule, “

Choko, however, expressed optimism about the invitation of six states chief judges by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), saying it will certainly rekindle the hopes of members of the public and will ensure sanity in the judicial system.

The lawyer argued that the invitation is a welcome development that will repose trust and confidence in the judicial arm of government, adding that its essence was to ensure errant judges are brought to book.

“The invitation of the six chief judges by the CJN will bring sanity to the judiciary arm of government.

“You can not tell me that invitation will be made away without some level of effect. If that ordinarily were the target, the CJN would not have invited anybody in the first place.

“The essence of the invitation is to ensure that some persons erring in their responsibility and duties are brought to book.

“ I know that as judges, any misconduct you project from your temple of justice there is an equivalent punishment that is expected from the Nigeria Judicial Council,(NJC), to be meted out to one.

“This, to the best of my belief is a welcome development because it will rekindle the hopes of members of the public and we as legal practitioners, “ he added.