Court of Appeal, Lagos Division Orders Filing of All Correspondence In Pending Appeal

— Says Directive Based on Supreme Court Decision In Zakiral v. Mohammed

The Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal [Lagos Division], Hon. Justice Joseph Shagbaor Ikyegh, has directed the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Court [Lagos Division] to ensure that all correspondence, dealing with any pending litigation before the court, amongst litigants and/or the Court should accordingly be filed as a process of the Court.

The Honourable Presiding Justice issued this directive via a letter addressed to the Deputy Chief Registrar, Lagos Division, which is dated the 18th day of December, 2020 and sighted by TheNigeriaLawyer.

His Lordship noted that the directive was in line with the decision of the Supreme Court in Zakiral v. Mohammed, and accordingly, the directive will affect correspondences such as letters requesting for adjournment, as well as letters, addressed to the presiding Justice requesting for new dates. His Lordship further noted that failure to comply with the directive would render the correspondence bad and of no effect.

“It is hereby directed that following the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Zakiral v. Mohammed & Or. [2017] 17 NWLR (pt.1594] 181 at 213 any correspondence with respect to a pending action in the court should from henceforth be filed in the Registry of the Court as process of the Court before delivery to or service on the person(s) affected by the correspondence.”

“… Having regards to the fact that the cause list of court is a process of the ‘Court’, same should always be duly certified for it to have binding force on the parties and the Court.” The letter read.