Governor Adams
Oshiomhole of Edo State has challenged lawyers in the country to speak up against disobedience to court orders, saying that it portends danger for the rule of law.
Speaking at the opening of the 2014/2015 Legal Year in Benin City, Oshiomhole said: “Every lawyer must endeavour to uphold the law as it is dangerous for either the Bar or the Bench to encourage trade unions to become the enforcers of court orders.
“Those who live by the court must not be seen to aid and abet disobedience to court orders. If Senior Advocates of Nigeria advice people to disobey court orders, it is a sad thing for the rule of law and if the Bar keeps quite in the face of disobedience to court order, it is a terrible thing for the rule of law.
“If court bailiffs are assaulted in public view, Senior Advocates and other members of the community keep quiet, it is not the best for the rule of law because those who may not be affected today may be affected tomorrow, particularly where the rule of law operates on the basis of precedent.
“It can be concluded from the number of cases that the Edo State judiciary was able to hear and dispense justice on the number of cases that are pending suggests that the Edo State judiciary has so much work to do. This suggests that the judiciary, executive and legislative must find resources to create more courts, appoint more judges so that our people can have quicker access to justice.”
