- Seeks more judges for speedy handling of cases
The National Industrial Court (NIC) in Nigeria says it recorded more than 6,277 industrial cases within two years.
This is as it succeeded in disposing of 4,108 out of the suits within the same period under review
President of the Court, Justice Benedict B. Kanyip, who announced this on Wednesday in Abuja, stressed that labour cases require quick disposal than other cases.
The NIC President noted that the workload of the Court has been on the increase since its establishment thus, the need for more Judges to come on board
Justice Kanyip, who stated these at the 2022/2023 Legal Year of the court, commended his colleagues on the bench for effectively coping with challenges posed by the high figure of cases in spite of not too good working conditions.
He further said that in order to ensure quick disposition of cases, he issued the National Industrial Court Practice Directions involving the filing of applications, motions in Trade Union Matters, and marking of exhibits in originating processes.
He, therefore, appealed to those criticising the Practice Directions to give it some time to enable the court to monitor its application, adding that the development was to cut trial time, avoid time-wasting in marking documents in court, and catering for other rules.
To further ensure speedy resolution of cases, Justice Kanyip said that an Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre was established but, regretted its poor usage by litigants and their lawyers thus, promised to make the work environment more conducive for Judges, supporting staff, and the entire workforce.
Commenting on the closure of Owerri, Imo State Division of the court, the President of the NIC declared that the decision can only be reversed when the safety of the Judges and workers is guaranteed, adding that the Court has not yet received the security guarantee requested from some quarters even as he promised to look into the pleas by the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), on the matter.
