The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), on Monday, said it was worried over the closure of the Court of Appeal divisions in Awka, Owerri and Enugu on account of prevailing security situations in the South East region.

The NBA, which is the umbrella body of legal practitioners in the country, maintained that the total shutdown of the courts have significantly hampered access to justice in the affected divisions.

Therefore, the legal body, through its President, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), urged the leadership of the judiciary to allow options like virtual hearings through technology, in the three divisions, saying ?justice must never be a casualty of insecurity.?

Speaking at the opening session of the 2024 Conference of Justices of the Court of Appeal, the NBA President, said: ?Your Lordships, may I also address the recent reported ?closure? of the Court of Appeal divisions in Awka, Owerri, and Enugu on account of prevailing security situations in the region.

?While the safety of judicial officers, staff, and litigants must remain paramount, the total shutdown of these divisions significantly hampered access to justice in the affected divisions.

?We once more respectfully urge the Governors of the region to assert the authority of the state and ensure by their words and actions that the security of lives and properties of the people, particularly that of judicial officers who man various courts in the region is guaranteed.

?They must show the ability of the states not only to govern but to protect and secure the people. We cannot afford to have three divisions of the Court shut down. All hands must be on deck to do the needful to ensure that these divisions of the Court function.

?We will continue to engage with all stakeholders to ensure that non-state actors are not allowed to threaten judicial officers and our court system. In situations like this, the judiciary must continue to explore innovative alternatives to ensure justice is not halted.

?Options such as the temporary relocation of court sittings to safer venues within or outside the affected states, virtual hearings through technology, or the establishment of mobile courts should be considered.

?Justice must never be a casualty of insecurity; rather, our resolve to uphold the rule of law should shine brightest in such trying times,? he said.

The NBA took the position on a day it joined other organizations to mark the international anti-corruption day.

It described the theme for this year?s anti-corruption day: ?Uniting with Youths against Corruption: Shaping tomorrow?s Integrity,? as very apt, saying ?it captures what we need to do to fight corruption especially in these challenging times.?

?Corruption is a complex phenomenon ranging from fraud, embezzlement, illicit financial flows, administrative malfeasance, mismanagement of Public resources, absence of transparency and impunity in public service.

?It is undoubtedly the most potent threat to governance and development as it undermines democracy, creates unstable governments, sets countries back economically and can inappropriately affect the poorest and most marginalized people.

?The NBA calls for all sectors to put hands together and move with one strong force against corruption as we unite with the youths to equip them with the knowledge, platforms and encouragement they need to become the vanguard of a new era of transparency, accountability and ethical leadership.

?As lawyers and stakeholders in Nigeria, we all face some form of corruption in our dealings but we may have discounted the consequences of it in order to ?get things done?.

?So, even the legal profession is not free of this ill. The promotion of rule of law, which the NBA is committed to and the economic development of Nigeria can only survive in an environment that is devoid of corruption.

?This world observance of an International event on corruption, reaffirms the people from all classes and various parts of the globe that a corruption free society is possible if we work in union. It fosters the courage to speak up against corruption rather than becoming silent prey to its effects.

?We therefore enjoin and encourage every Nigerian and our brother Bar associations around the world to take affirmative steps to support the legal profession and unite with the Youths in combating corruption.

?Bar associations should consider the ways in which they can provide guidance and technical assistance to support young lawyers in their jurisdiction who wish to take affirmative action in fighting corruption,? the NBA stated. (Vanguard)

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