A portion of the premises of the Ikeja High Court, Lagos, has been taken over by creepers and rodents owing to alleged neglect by those charged with keeping it clean.
The surroundings of the court have also become an eyesore, leaving everybody wondering why a citadel of justice has been so neglected by those whose duty it is to oversee the affairs of the eye-popping edifice.
Findings by our correspondent revealed that the exhibit section, where articles in dispute are kept, had become so cramped that both judges and lawyers had to struggle with creepers and rodents while examining some of those exhibits such as cars and other articles of value.
An inside source told our correspondent that the unhealthy condition of the exhibits surrounded by bushes could aid vandals, especially during public holidays, when activities within the premises are not well pronounced.
On close examination, our correspondent noticed that some of the exhibits were already suffering wear and tear.
“Many of the exhibits have been here for over six years as a result of summersaulting adjournments, when parties to the dispute could not readily resolve their differences. Of course, many of them carry criminal labels and it may stay there for more years, unless the legal issues connecting them are relaxed,” he said.
A photocopier machine attendant within the court premises, who pleaded anonymity, hinted that it had become more or less the culture to allow exhibits to suffer decay.
”The multi-million naira exhibits would have generated revenue to the government if sold as auction to the general public. I think those who have knowledge of the law with recourse to exhibits know better,” he said.
The attendant added that the neglect of the Lagos High Court headquarters’ premises might not be unconnected with the shortage of staff, who would have routinely taken care of its surroundings.
”Aside from this, there appears to be paucity of funds to accommodate more staff,” he added. Some of the court’s staff declined to speak with our correspondent on the matter, claiming to have been hamstrung by ‘Civil Service Rules’ that do not allow them to talk to the press.
“I do not have another job. Please, just go away and mind your own business”, a hostile court clerk said. However, a human rights activist and lawyer, Mr. Giwa Amu, said it would be ‘suicidal’ to allow the court premises to be overgrown by bushes.
“Those responsible for the arrant neglect should be queried. If they are tired of their civil responsibilities, they should resign to pave way for serious and hardworking individuals.
Look, administering judgement in an environment that is full of filth and rodents, as the case may, could psychologically affect the quality of justice,” Amu said.
He suggested further that, “those responsible for the act should sufficiently be punished to serve as a deterrent to others.”
Efforts by our correspondent to speak with the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Steve Ayorinde, were not successful. His mobile phone could not be reached.
