By CHUKWUMA OFILLI
Court Shutdown Over Alleged Security Threats Raises Legal Concerns
The prolonged closure of the Court of Appeal, Owerri Division, Imo State, since October 2024, has drawn sharp criticism from the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC). The human rights organization has urged judicial authorities to take immediate action to reopen the court and address the mounting backlog of cases.
Security Concerns Lead to Prolonged Closure
The court was reportedly shut down due to threats from a faceless pro-Biafra group, which allegedly ordered non-Igbo judicial officials to leave the state. While the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) swiftly disowned the threat, stating it was only meant to last a week, judicial authorities have yet to reopen the court after more than four months.
Judicial Inconsistencies Questioned
RULAAC expressed concerns over the continued shutdown, pointing out that other courts, such as the High Court and the National Industrial Court, remain operational in the same vicinity. The advocacy group also highlighted inconsistencies in judicial responses to security threats, citing that courts continue to function in Boko Haram-affected areas in the Northeast and in violence-prone Kaduna State.
“With over 6,000 pending cases and an additional 1,500 new cases every month, the shutdown of the Appeal Court has left countless litigants in legal limbo. Judicial abdication in the face of unverified threats undermines the rule of law and access to justice,” RULAAC stated.
Call for Alternative Solutions
In December 2024, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) raised similar concerns about the impact of insecurity on judicial operations in the Southeast. The NBA President suggested alternative solutions, such as virtual hearings or relocating court sessions, to prevent justice from being stalled indefinitely.
RULAAC has now urged Southeast governors to take decisive measures to ensure the security of judicial officials and the resumption of court activities. The organization also proposed innovative solutions, including mobile courts and digital hearings, to prevent further legal delays.
Restoring Public Confidence in the Judiciary
“The judiciary must not surrender to fear,” said Okechukwu Nwanguma, Executive Director of RULAAC. “Justice must not be held hostage by insecurity. The government and judiciary must restore public confidence in the legal system.”
As legal practitioners and affected litigants continue to grapple with the implications of the prolonged closure, pressure mounts on judicial authorities to take swift action. The delay in reopening the court raises urgent questions about the future of justice delivery in the Southeast.
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