- October 9, 2017
- Posted by: Stephen Azubuike
- Category: Case Law Blog
“Many a times there would be no power supply in Enugu Division in my house. Even if there was, the generator would often become dysfunctional, hence the delay in rendering my opinion in this appeal.”
Blogger’s Note:
The experience of the learned Justice of the Court of Appeal is the experience of many of our Judges today in Nigeria. The President has often decried the slow judicial process. (Although recent reform appears to be more targeted at speedy conclusion of criminal cases, especially corruption cases, we must however note that slow judicial process is affecting cases touching on businesses and investment in Nigeria generally). The Federal Government must now see that lack of constant power is a huge factor clogging the wheel of the judiciary.
Aside the judiciary, lack of constant power supply has crippled several sectors and is constantly making life difficult. Many are dying on daily basis at our hospitals. I have always wondered why the resolution of the electricity problems in Nigeria has remained a mystery. I had questioned why we are yet to begin to witness the tremendous change promised by the Minister of Power, Mr. B. R. Fashola, SAN, but I was told to neglect his promises as same was a pure political propaganda. I am particularly troubled because I have enormous respect for the learned Silk and I believe he is one man always ready to make a significant change. The kind of change Nigerians desire in the power sector is not the type well-articulated in written form or written analyses. The desired change is like the one in the telecommunication sector where, today, you find beggars on the streets owning GSM handsets and making wireless calls (notwithstanding the poor service delivery).
Nigeria needs constant light to move forward, away from darkness…
