NON AVAILABILITY OF FUEL TO POWER GENERATOR STALLS COURT PROCEEDINGS

The legal counsels and their witnesses had arrived the court as early as 8.30 a.m. for various proceedings, but were shocked to see the courtroom in darkness while they were equally awaiting the arrival of the judge.

Penpushing further reports that, as at 9 a.m. when the court was supposed to commence sitting officially, the judge remained in his office, but few minutes thereafter, the judge came in and pronounced the need to step down all proceedings because of lack of electricity supply.

“Gentlemen, it appears we will not be able to sit today. I am informed by my staff that there is no electricity because there is an issue with the Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC). Besides, there is no diesel to run the generator. It is obvious we have to take a date and come back when electricity supply has been resolved,” Justice Kekemeke said.

The Judge, however, was not affirmative on when exactly the court will resume officially, as he could not also proffer solution to when the problem would be resolved for normal court sittings to resume, while a lawyer in reaction said the judge could or should not be blamed for the development.

 “In this case, nobody can blame the judge. There is nothing he could have done, as he was not expected to use his personal money to buy diesel for the generator to ensure the court sat. Nobody does that.The blame is squarely on the management of the judiciary in FCT, responsible for providing the logistics for the proper functioning of the court,” the lawyer said.

 “It is sad. It is a shame and gross incompetence on the part of the FCT judiciary management. Our government officials have to be a little bit serious with the way they play with people’s lives. As it stands, the parties involved in the various cases may be losing not less than N5 million,” the lawyer added.