FIRST WEEK DECEMBER 2002

SQUIB DIARY - ADESINA OGUNLANA

THE RECORDS OF A ROVING SNOOP


MONDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2002
Never knew the Ikeja High Court was under ‘invasion’ by an armed group of policemen until told. Time: 10 am.

Quite correct the information. There they were, about ten mobile policemen clutching all sorts of guns around the main gate of the first compound of the Ikeja High Court.
And to what end? To prevent another court boycott/lockout action by the lawyers as happened on the previous Monday.

This must be a real operation fire-for-fire showdown. Only there was no showdown. Later I saw some security men of a certain BISKADEM Security Company in the premises. Learnt they were there to take over from CONTINENTAL GUARDS who was blamed by the top guns in the Lagos Judiciary for allowing the protesting lawyers take control of the court gates from them on November 25 2002.

Poor guards! Hanged for no just cause. But I am not surprised that the Authorities expected CONTINENTAL GUARDS to be involved in a shindig with N.B.A Ikeja. After all, I remember that Justice Ade-Alabi, the ‘second calabash of the king’ at the Ikeja High Court actually wielded a hammer in broad daylight on 22/11/2002 in an attempt to force his way past a locked gate.

N.B.A Ikeja branch held its monthly meeting. Well attended. A guest lecturer, Mrs. Doyin Rhodes-Vivour delivered a forty-minute ‘Introduction to Arbitration’ lecture. Not bad on the score.

Professor Yemi Osinbajo S.A.N, Lagos State Attorney General and Fola Arthur-Worrey, Solicitor General, met with Lagos State Judiciary Maharajas. Guess, over what?

Almost forgot the commotion in the High Court’s Record Section this morning. Following orders ‘from above,’ Record Section staff insisted that lawyers buy thenow expensive N250.00 per copy cause list before they would be attended to. Naturally uproars erupted. Another example of the irresponsible commercialization of Justice in Lagos State.

TUESDAY 3RD DECEMBER 2002
Flatfoots were still at the gates. Again, no action. Doubt whether the cops were not feeling rather foolish, standing in the sun, waiting for boycotters to catch or to shoot while people pass them by, gaping.

Only few courts sat for more than two hours. Most judges were off to the Eko Le Meridien, Victoria Island for a seminar while some others went on prison tour.

Noticed that CONTINENTAL GUARDS personnel now secure the second compound of the Ikeja High Court.

Came across the curious circular directing Judiciary workers to come to work on the morrow. But what of the Federal Government declaration of tomorrow as a public holiday?

Can a state government over ride a public holiday declared by the Federal Government? If Lagos State courts sit tomorrow, are such sittings legal under the Constitution? One has to wait and see.

Sidling up to me in Magistrate Court 4 Ikeja, with a beatific smile on her face was a woman holding a ‘Christmas Promise Card.’ Wonders as they say, shall never end. Possible items for promise included: “Visit to Mr. Biggs,” Jeans,” Wines.” Surely this is ‘new-wave’ begging!

WEDNESDAY 4TH DECEMBER 2002
Got to Ikeja High Court, 8.40 am only to meet a mild drama. Gates closed to workers and lawyers by goggle wearing, umbrella carrying BISKADEM guards. Reason; NO WORK!

Seems the Judiciary has finally seen the light. Understood another circular came later in the day canceling the ‘Come to work on Wednesday’ order of the earlier one.

Sighs of regret. Hisses of disgust. Worker, lawyers, etc., dispersed. No judge in sight, except Okuwobi .J.


Related link: http://www.squiblogg.blogspot.com