Concerns over alleged undue adjournments, sharp practices in Lagos courts
THERE are concerns over alleged undue adjournments and sharp practices among judges handling cases affecting Awaiting Trials ( AT) inmates in Lagos high courts.
Stakeholders said the situation does not only work against the Federal Government’s policy of decongesting custodial centres, but also impinges on the rights of AT inmates, who are held unnecessarily because of their inability to pay bribes.
Lamenting, some awaiting trial inmates at Kirikiri Correctional Centre, Lagos, said undue adjournments and alleged unethical practices by some justices have resulted in untold hardships to their families.
They alleged that some judges are in the habit of not granting bail for bailable offences, except heavy bribes are paid through registrars
According to them, many inmates have their cases unduly delayed by judges without sanction by the Lagos State Ministr y of Justice and the National Judicial Council ( NJC).
“There is a need for investigation into the alleged in volvement of judges in debt recovery for self- help seekers who use the police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ( EFCC) to turn commercial transactions into criminal matters.
“Many defendants have been convicted and sentenced, with court registrars collecting bribes on behalf of judges, promising them freedom through bail, pending appeal; where the appeal court will route back the case to the same court to set bail conditions, with victims paying the exact amount for their freedom, without pursuing the appeal thereafter.
“Some judges also set sexual defendants free after taking bribes, while those who refuse or are unable to pay, attract severe prison terms ranging from 60 years to life imprisonment,” they said.
A source told The Guardian: “We have been sitting in a particular court in Ikeja since March 2023, with many awaiting trial inmates not attending or even knowing their adjournment dates. The court has remained under lock and key without a statement or apology offered to anyone.
“The court, presided by a female judge, has custody matters ( awaiting trial) of between 10 and 15 years of bailable offence and yet has not reached judgement. She sits only three times in a year in many matters and gives four months adjournments in criminal/ custody matters, contrary to the
Administration of Criminal Justice Act ( ACJA) direction,” he said.
The source alleged that the judge’s registrar boasted that he is of the judicial dynasty in Lagos State, and that nobody could touch him or dare make a noise.
He also alleged that judges are now under pressure to make criminal convictions at all costs.
“In some cases, judges and prosecutors are promoted based on criminal convictions achieved yearly, hence their penchant to convict by all means.
He called on the Chief Judge of Lagos State to embark on frequent visitations aimed at decongesting prisons.”