Lawyers in Enugu North District, Enugu State, protested on Tuesday over the continued use of virtual court proceedings by judges across the zone. The protest, involving lawyers from five judicial divisions — Nsukka, Obollo-Afor, Enugu-Ezike, Ogbede and Umulokpa — was held in response to judges' refusal to resume physical hearings. They argue that virtual proceedings have disrupted the justice process, citing poor network connectivity, inability to properly present evidence, and risks during cross-examination.
Sunday Agbo, Chairman of the Nsukka Branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), said judges initially adopted virtual sessions due to insecurity along the Ugwogo-Opi-Nsukka Road, a route judges from Enugu metropolis use to reach the area. He stated that while the bar association supported the temporary measure, three years of virtual hearings using clerks' mobile phones had compromised judicial efficiency. Agbo noted that lawyers were often seated beside opposing witnesses during virtual cross-examinations, some of whom made physical threats.
Frank Agbowo, another protesting lawyer, explained that the virtual system failed to allow judges to observe witness demeanor, a key factor in rulings. He cited instances where documents could not be properly tendered because the judge, located in Enugu, could not see submissions made by lawyers joining from different locations. Agbowo emphasized that virtual proceedings are suitable only for minor matters like pre-trial motions, not substantive cases. The NBA leadership in the zone has threatened to shut down courtrooms if reforms are not implemented.
The lawyers have written to Governor Peter Mbah and the Enugu State chief judge, but no action has been taken. They are calling for the state government to equip all courtrooms with modern facilities to support efficient virtual operations if physical hearings remain unfeasible.
The same judges who cited insecurity to justify virtual courts now expect lawyers to navigate unsafe conditions during cross-examination in makeshift setups. The NBA's demand for better-equipped courts reveals that the current system serves no one, not even the judiciary's own standards. Lawyers in Nsukka, Obollo-Afor, and Umulokpa are left defending clients without basic procedural fairness. If virtual hearings continue without reform, justice in these divisions will remain visibly broken.
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