A Lagos High Court today, 31 January 2020, adjourned a case to 15 December 2020 for trial.

The case is Suit No. LD/8026/2014: between Mrs. Rashidat Joseph & 32 Ors v. Alhaji A. K. Olarewaju. The matter was filed in 2014.

Alarmed at the development, we enquired from the Registrars what the problem might have been given that this is a rare occurrence in the High Court. We were told that the Court’s docket is quite full and that it would help if more Judges are appointed in Lagos.

From the disposition of counsel in the matter, it is also doubtful if they are all ready for trial. It is common knowledge that courts sometimes adjourn cases to longer dates if the court is of the view that parties are not diligent in prosecuting the case. It is not clear if this is precisely the issue in the instant case.

The delay in dealing with matters in court has remained a problem especially in Lagos notwithstanding the huge efforts and extra hours put in by the Judges. Stakeholders including the Government and lawyers must all join hands to change this narrative.