Bayelsa lacks enough judges — Ex-NBA chair

A former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Yenagoa
branch, Bayelsa State, Justice Ebiere Umukoro, has linked many
pending court cases in the state to inadequate number of
judges.

He also identified certain rules that guide dispensation of
justice in terms of criminal cases and civil procedures as
responsible for the situation.

Umukoro stated, “The average judge in Bayelsa has too many cases
to handle at a time. A judge who handles two cases a day is
expected to be more effective compared to his counterpart who
handles up to 20 cases a day.

“More judges are needed in Bayelsa State because the average
judge in the state handles two courts. There is the need for more
judges to be appointed for speedy handling of cases.”

Umukoro stated this while inaugurating the new executive members
of the Yenagoa branch of the NBA led by Mr. Clement Buruboyefe.

He also charged the new members to uphold the rule of law,
noting that the country was looking up to the judiciary for
justice.

Umukoro also identified non-readiness of witnesses to appear in
court to testify as one of the reasons for the delay in court
cases.

In his remarks, Buruboyefe declared support for the calls for
the restructuring of the country, including resource control.

He said, “In my opinion, that is what we have been emphasising
before now. The country needs to be restructured so that true
federalism can be achieved. That also will pave the way for the
resource control that we have been clamouring for. If the component
states are made to be on their own and be paying taxes to the
centre, it will go a long way in stabilising the country.

“The Bar is the conscience of society and we will not stop
speaking on issues that affect society.”

Buruboyefe said the unity of the Bar and dispensation of justice
would be the focus in his tenure, calling on members to support him
to succeed.

The five-man executive committee has Buruboyefe as chairman,
Tariere Egbegi; vice chairman, Somina Johnbull; secretary,
Dienaworio Wuku; financial secretary, and Felix Okorotie as legal
adviser.

A former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Yenagoa
branch, Bayelsa State, Justice Ebiere Umukoro, has linked many
pending court cases in the state to inadequate number of
judges.

He also identified certain rules that guide dispensation of
justice in terms of criminal cases and civil procedures as
responsible for the situation.

Umukoro stated, “The average judge in Bayelsa has too many cases
to handle at a time. A judge who handles two cases a day is
expected to be more effective compared to his counterpart who
handles up to 20 cases a day.

“More judges are needed in Bayelsa State because the average
judge in the state handles two courts. There is the need for more
judges to be appointed for speedy handling of cases.”

Umukoro stated this while inaugurating the new executive members
of the Yenagoa branch of the NBA led by Mr. Clement Buruboyefe.

He also charged the new members to uphold the rule of law,
noting that the country was looking up to the judiciary for
justice.

Umukoro also identified non-readiness of witnesses to appear in
court to testify as one of the reasons for the delay in court
cases.

In his remarks, Buruboyefe declared support for the calls for
the restructuring of the country, including resource control.

He said, “In my opinion, that is what we have been emphasising
before now. The country needs to be restructured so that true
federalism can be achieved. That also will pave the way for the
resource control that we have been clamouring for. If the component
states are made to be on their own and be paying taxes to the
centre, it will go a long way in stabilising the country.

“The Bar is the conscience of society and we will not stop
speaking on issues that affect society.”

Buruboyefe said the unity of the Bar and dispensation of justice
would be the focus in his tenure, calling on members to support him
to succeed.

The five-man executive committee has Buruboyefe as chairman,
Tariere Egbegi; vice chairman, Somina Johnbull; secretary,
Dienaworio Wuku; financial secretary, and Felix Okorotie as legal
adviser.