CONFLICTING JUDGEMENTS WEAKENING PUBLIC CONFIDENCE IN JUDICIARY, SAYS NBA PRESIDENT. (PHOTO).

 Afam Osigwe, president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), says conflicting court judgements and growing judicial uncertainty are eroding public confidence in Nigeria’s justice system.

Speaking during the Law Week of the NBA Anaocha branch, themed “Justice Delivery and Prevailing Conflicting Judgements: An Imperative for Urgent Judicial Reforms”, Osigwe said inconsistent judicial decisions on similar issues, particularly political matters, are making it difficult for lawyers to advise clients with certainty.

The NBA president said lawyers and litigants across the country are increasingly confronted with contradictory judgements on similar legal questions.

The senior advocate of Nigeria said the trend posed serious implications for the credibility of the courts and the administration of justice.

“Justice loses its meaning when the law becomes uncertain,” Osigwe said.

“A judiciary that speaks in conflicting voices on similar issues risks eroding public confidence in the courts and weakening the foundation of the rule of law itself.

“This growing inconsistency is making it extremely difficult for legal practitioners to advise clients with certainty on what the law truly is.

“The law must remain predictable, consistent, and certain if society is to retain faith in the judicial process.”

Osigwe also raised concerns over the uncertainty surrounding appeals from decisions of the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC).

He said lawyers sanctioned by the LPDC are often left in confusion because of unresolved disputes over the proper appellate forum.

“In some instances, the Supreme Court has referred affected lawyers to a non-existent Appeals Committee of the Body of Benchers, thereby creating procedural confusion and avoidable hardship,” he said.

Osigwe called for urgent reforms and a deliberate change in judicial attitude towards recurring legal uncertainties.

“There is an urgent need for reform and a deliberate change in judicial attitude towards some of these recurring issues. Our justice system must inspire confidence, not uncertainty,” he said.

The NBA president commended the Anaocha branch for choosing what he described as a timely theme for its Law Week