In a move aimed at curbing crowding, the Supreme Court has pegged the number of lawyers that could appear for a party in a case before it at five, including the lead lawyer. The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen announced this yesterday, shortly before the Supreme Court opened proceedings in the two appeals filed by former governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Pary (PDP) in Edo State, Osagie Ize-Iyamu. Justice Onnoghen said the directive was meant to curb the practice of about 100 lawyers, in most political cases, announcing appearance for a party. He said the practice adds nothing to court’s proceedings, but only end up congesting the court, thereby denying lawyers with legitimate business the opportunity to access court and sit comfortably. The CJN noted that in recent time, lawyers have been compelled to stand in court, while some sit on the floor, because some senior lawyer, who came to court with over 100 junior lawyers have taken up available space. Justice Onnoghen said: “There was a mater we had here and 106 lawyers appeared, the whole space was taken up and some lawyers had to stand and others sit on the floor. I have issued a directive, which should extend to other courts, that lawyers appearing in the Supreme Court, should not be more than five for each party, including the lead lawyers. “This large number of lawyers don’t always consume space; it takes take time to announce appearance. Appearance in cases have to have utility value, such appearance has to serve a purpose. I have to repeat this directive today, because I believe it was not brought to the attention of the Bar. Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Wole Olanipekun (SAN) who was in court for the Ize-Iyamu appeals, appealed to the CJN to allow 30 lawyers per party, a request another Justice of the court, Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour rejected. Olanipekun said on the utility value, he agreed that a junior lawyer appearing in court with his senior must have a role to play in court in the matter, but that in some cases there are clients, who insist on having some lawyers on the list. He added that because many senior advocates are involved in some cases, they are often accompanied by a number of lawyers. Justice Rhodes-Vivour said the number proposed by Olanipekus was too much, because almost every election petition comes with at list five parties. He noted that “if you allow them to come with a team of 30 as you (OLanipekun) suggest, the intention of the directive by the CJN would have been defeated. “Some of them (the young lawyers) just come to court, they do not even know what is going on. If I call one of them sitting there now, I believe he/she would not know what the business of the day is. We know what is going on,” Justice Rhodes-Vivour said. He later conceded to an increase to 10 per party. [pullquote]Justice Onnoghen said: “We are not saying a litigant is not entitled to a counsel of his choice. He can have a whole Bar. But, for the purpose of appearance, a choice of the few number should be made by the lead counsel.[/pullquote] In his final intervention, Justice Onnoghen said: “We are not saying a litigant is not entitled to a counsel of his choice. He can have a whole Bar. But, for the purpose of appearance, a choice of the few number should be made by the lead counsel. I have issued instruction out to the Bar; it should not be more than five. That is the position for now,” the CJN said.]]>

______________________________________________________________________ “Bridging Theory And Courtroom Practice” — Hagler Sunny Okorie, Nathaniel Ngozi Ikeocha Unveil ‘Functional’ Tort Law Book For Nigerian Legal System The book, titled The Law of Torts in Nigeria: A Functional Approach, authored by Professor Hagler Sunny Okorie Ph.D and Ikeocha, Nathaniel Ngozi Esq, offers law students, practitioners, and academics a comprehensive guide to understanding and applying tort law in Nigerian courts. Interested buyers can place orders via the following contact numbers: 08028636615, 08037667945, 08032253813, or +234 902 196 2209. ______________________________________________________________________ [A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
“Evidence Act: Complete Annotation” by renowned legal experts Sanni & Etti.
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation ______________________________________________________________________ ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR LAWYERS: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE Reimagine your practice with the power of AI “...this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic.” — Ohio Books Ltd Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe, Esq., ACIArb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director, Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria. Bonus: Get a FREE eBook titled “How to Use the AI in Legalpedia and Law Pavilion” with every purchase.

How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌐 Website: www.benadigwe.com

Ebook Version: Access directly online at: https://selar.com/prv626

________________________________________________________________________ “Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence

Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via: 0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888 Website: www.alexandernigeria.com