Lawyer canvasses establishment of state Supreme Courts

As a way of speedy determination of matters at the different levels of courts in Nigeria, a Cross River State-born constitutional lawyer and notary public, Leo Anyogo, has said that there is dire need for states to be granted powers to establish their own Supreme Courts.

He said this should not only be part of the ongoing agitation for the restructuring of the country but should be a key factor and demand.

He said this in an interview with journalists in Calabar when he commended moves that would lead to reformation of the country’s judiciary.

Emphasising on desirability of state Supreme Court, Anyogo said chieftaincy and communal matters should no longer be brought all the way to the apex court in Abuja but be finally determined at state level.

Anyogo said: “State Supreme Court is desirable. Imagine issues of customary and chieftaincy in a community brought all the way to the Supreme Court in Abuja, whereas states can finally determine such matters.

“Land matters and all similar issues can also be effectively determined without the bugging sent Federal Supreme Court. It should be part of the ongoing demand for constitutional and restructuring of our federation.

“I hold the view that apart from interpretation of the constitution, defence, currency and foreign affairs, states should have Supreme Court.”

On decongestion of prisons, he said it should be more of a holistic reform, adding “I make bold to say that it is high time that we got time limit for matters just like we have in election matters.”