Judge Advises Lawyers Against Abuse Of Judicial Processes

Justice Saleh M. Shuaibu of the Federal High Court Awka has cautioned lawyers against filing of similar cases in different courts.

Judiciary Correspondent, Joseph Egbeocha reports that while addressing a counsel, who appeared before the Judge over a case of fundamental human rights of his client he brought against fellow lawyer and others, Justice Shuaibu noted that filing similar cases in different courts lead to conflicting judgements that ridicule the court.

He wondered why the parties were before him when the subject matter of the litigation, a bench warrant order made by a lower court against the applicant, had been vacated by the same lower court.

Justice Shuaibu noted that there is a provision in the rules of the court which deals with multiplicity of actions in courts, and which demands deposition of affidavit by lawyers filing new cases that no similar case is pending in any other court.

He however expressed concern that the provision of the court rules has not been able to properly address the issue of multiplicity of actions in courts.

The counsel had earlier told the court that he was afraid that the rights of his client were being threatened and therefore seeking further protection of the court.

He however applied for withdrawal of the case and Justice Shuaibu consequently struck it out and made no order as to cost.