Nsukka lawyers protest hit Enugu State hard on Tuesday as practitioners from the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) branches in Nsukka and Obollo-Afor shut down high courts. They are demanding that judges finally resume physical sittings after a prolonged refusal that has crippled justice delivery in the zone. Lawyers and litigants say the continued reliance on virtual proceedings without proper facilities has left cases piling up, with suspects languishing in detention and civil matters stalled for years
This morning’s action, captured in viral videos, saw lawyers block court entrances in Nsukka and Obollo-Afor, chanting for immediate change. Many described the scene as one of deep frustration after repeated pleas fell on deaf ears.
Why Nsukka Lawyers Are Shutting Down High Courts Today
For the past two years, judges in the Enugu North Senatorial District have largely avoided physical appearances at high courts in Nsukka, Obollo-Afor and nearby areas. They cite insecurity along the Enugu-Nsukka road, pointing to attacks by armed groups in the South-East. Instead, they opted for virtual sittings. But lawyers argue these remote sessions lack the right transmission equipment, leading to frequent technical failures and endless adjournments.
Chairman of the NBA Nsukka branch and his counterpart in Obollo-Afor had warned that enough is enough. They say the absence has caused untold hardship for ordinary people waiting for justice. Criminal suspects remain in prison without trial, while land disputes, divorce cases and commercial matters drag on indefinitely. One senior lawyer told reporters the judiciary cannot keep hiding while banks, markets and schools operate normally.
How the Judges’ Absence Is Hurting Ordinary Nigerians
People in Nsukka zone are feeling the pain directly. High courts that should be buzzing with activity now sit empty or overgrown in some spots. Litigants trek long distances only to be told their case is adjourned again because the judge is not physically present. Lawyers say this virtual experiment has failed the common man who cannot afford endless delays.
The protest comes at a time when many Nigerians already feel the justice system is stretched thin. Residents worry that if judges continue to stay away, the entire Enugu North judicial zone risks total collapse. Some even question why the same judges appear promptly for high-profile matters but avoid routine physical sittings.
The NBA branches have vowed to keep the courts locked until judges return to their seats. They are calling on the state government and the Chief Judge to intervene urgently and provide adequate security so physical adjudication can resume. For now, the protest has brought the struggle for accessible justice into the open.
