The Lagos State Judiciary has come under fire for alleged wasteful expenditure following reports that 75 judges from the state’s High Court are scheduled to attend a seven-day retreat in England during the month of July 2024.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/afam.jpg")
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Idrinstitute.jpg")
The delegation is said to include keynote speakers and support staff, raising concerns among legal professionals about the unnecessary costs involved.
Lawyers have questioned the decision to hold the retreat abroad, highlighting the substantial expenses associated with round-trip tickets for approximately 90 people, hotel accommodations, feeding, and estacodes. They argue that world-class facilities and resorts within Nigeria, such as Kuru, Jaji, Tinapa, and Obudu, could have been utilized instead, potentially saving a significant amount of public funds.
The controversy surrounding the planned retreat comes at a time when the Lagos State Judiciary is grappling with several challenges. The Igbosere High Court, which was damaged during the EndSARS protests, has yet to be rebuilt, with the state soliciting funds through the Rebuild Lagos initiative. Moreover, various courts in the state have been accused of limiting their generator usage, with power being switched on at 10 am and off at 2 pm, despite official working hours extending from 8 am to 4 pm.
Some lawyers who spoke to TheNigeriaLawyer (TNL) on condition of anonymity stated, “It is concerning to witness such wasteful spending when there are pressing issues that need to be addressed within the judiciary. The funds allocated for this overseas retreat could have been better utilized to rebuild the Igbosere High Court and improve the infrastructure of our courts.
1. Cost implications: Sending a delegation of 90 people, including judges, keynote speakers, and support staff, to England for a seven-day retreat is likely to incur significant expenses. The cost of round-trip tickets, hotel accommodations, feeding, and estacodes for such a large group would be substantial and could potentially strain the judiciary’s budget.
2. Availability of local facilities: The decision to hold the retreat in England is questionable, given the availability of world-class facilities and resorts within Nigeria, such as Kuru, Jaji, Tinapa, and Obudu. Utilizing these local venues could have significantly reduced the overall cost of the retreat while still providing a conducive environment for learning and networking.
3. Prioritizing infrastructure: The judiciary’s decision to allocate funds for an overseas retreat appears misguided, considering the pressing infrastructural issues facing the Lagos State courts. The Igbosere High Court, which was damaged during the EndSARS protests, has not been rebuilt, and the state is currently soliciting funds through the Rebuild Lagos initiative to reconstruct the courts. Prioritizing the rehabilitation of essential judicial infrastructure should take precedence over discretionary spending on foreign retreats.
4. Operational inefficiencies: The revelation that various courts in Lagos State only have power supply from 10 am to 2 pm when running on generators, despite official working hours extending from 8 am to 4 pm, highlights operational inefficiencies within the judiciary. This limited power supply could adversely affect the courts’ productivity and the timely dispensation of justice.
The decision to send 75 judges and support staff to England for a retreat, given the current challenges faced by the Lagos State Judiciary, raises questions about financial prudence and the judicious use of public resources.
Efforts by TheNigeriaLawyer (TNL) to reach the Lagos State Judiciary for comments on the matter were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report. The judiciary has yet to provide an official statement addressing the concerns raised by lawyers regarding the planned retreat and the alleged wasteful spending.
Get Your Copy Today! "Drafts and Precedents on Civil Litigation" is available at the following recommended booksellers: 07051822705, lindabasil@yahoo.com
