The Nigerian Judiciary Intransigent In Controlling COVID-19 By Summer Okibe

The rising wave of COVID-19 has permeated all aspects of life for mankind. As a result of this disease, the issue of work from home has been imposed and social distancing has been inculcated into the system so as to fight this deadly virus. The COVID-19 pandemic is challenging communities, families, schools, rich, poor and governments.

Nigeria has recorded a total number of 30 cases of COVID-19 as at 22^nd of March, 2020, the Federal government and some State governments in Nigeria have taken tremendous steps to ensure that the virus is controlled by putting all schools and social gatherings on hold till further notice. Supermarkets without hand sanitizers are asked to close down till further notice and currently, the Nigerian Law School suspended all academic activities for a period of four (4) weeks.

I am strikingly surprised as to why the judiciary in Nigeria is yet to take precautionary measures to help safeguard the well-being of lawyers and their staff. Every day in a court room, there are more than 20 lawyers appearing for different matters thereby increasing tendency of lawyers getting infected with COVID-19.

Awaiting trial detainees are piled up for hearing of their matters in a court room, we have no idea if they are free from COVID-19 or not. These prisoners cough profusely and yet, the judiciary pays no attention to the seriousness of the virus that can infect everyone in a court room and beyond.

Each lawyer should be scheduled to appear in court for his matter at a particular time. The judge should sit 6ft away from the court clerks and registrars while the court clerks and registrars should sit 6ft away from lawyers.

However, judges in most courts already observe this prescription of sitting 6ft away from the court clerks and registrars. It is now the duty of the court to ensure the safety of the court clerks and registrars in between the bench and the bar.

The judiciary should ensure that hands are sanitized at the entrance of the court and temperatures are taken at the entrance to ensure that to a reasonable extent the virus is being avoided and controlled. Each court room and offices of the judiciary in Nigeria should also provide hand sanitizers for its staff to avoid the spread of COVID-19.

To control COVID-19, the judiciary should observe the directives of Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) by suspending all activities for at least four (4) weeks to avoid social distance. Fundamental Rights Enforcement cases and other urgent cases can be exempted from this directive.

COVID-19 is no respecter of persons as it leaves no one unaffected starting from the Chief Justice of Nigeria down to the lawyers. This is the period we need the judiciary to join the government in fighting COVID-19. It’s not all about paying practicing fees and branch dues, the Judiciary should lead us right by observing the directives of NCDC to maintain a distance.

Summer Okibe is an Associate at Greenfield Chambers and can be reached via s.okibe@greenfieldchambers.com