Alleged Frosty Relationship: Lagos CJ, Justice Alogba Refuses To Grant NBA Lagos Branch Leadership Audience

The hitherto relationship between the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch and the Bench in Lagos State seems to be a sour one, according to City Lawyer report

It was reported that the state of things has become a major concern and became a major point of discussion at the concluded monthly meeting of the NBA Lagos Branch.

In addition, it was noted that there has been repeated efforts of the NBA Lagos Branch to pay a courtesy visit to the Lagos State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba but however, proved abortive. It was equally stated that letters written in this regard have received no attention whatsoever.

In another development, the NBA Lagos Branch Judiciary Relations Committee has also been witnessing the same sour relationship with the Bench.

The committee led by Babatunde Ajibade, SAN in the aftermath of the #EndSARS was reported to have made efforts to meet with the Chief Judge with a view to assisting the Judiciary but unfortunately, the inability to so do obliterated the entire plan.

“That the Judicial Relations Committee of the Branch (“the Committee”) should communicate with the President of the Court of Appeal, the Presiding Justice of the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal and the Chief Judge of Lagos State to commiserate with them on these events and seek audience with them to discuss short and long term measures that can be put in place to address the challenges presented to the administration of justice as a result of these unfortunate occurrences at the premises of the courts”, the Branch had earlier resolved on 26 October, 2020.

Meanwhile, the relationship which appears to have been a frosty one might not augur well for the justice delivery system in the commercial city of Lagos because a healthy relationship between the Bar & Bench further aids justice administration.

Besides, it was noted that there have been frantic efforts by the Branch and its Judiciary Committee to ensure that the situation is urgently addressed, thus, necessitating them to solicit for help through an interface with the Chief Judge.

Meanwhile, effort to speak with Mrs. Ololade Ige, the Public Affairs Officer for Lagos State Judiciary, has proved abortive.