CJN pegs lawyers’ court appearance The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, on Monday pegged the number of lawyers that could appear for a party in court at five, including the lead lawyer. Justice Onnoghen announced this shortly before the Supreme Court opened proceedings in the two appeals filed by former governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Osagie Ize-Iyamu. He said the directive was meant to curb the practice when about 100 lawyers, in most political cases, announce appearance for a party in court. He said: “There was a matter we had here and 106 lawyers appeared. The whole space was taken up and some lawyers had to stand and others sit on the floor. I have issued a directive, which should extend to other courts, that lawyers appearing in the Supreme Court, should not be more than five for each party, including the lead lawyers. “This practice consumes space and it takes take time to announce appearance. Appearance in cases have to have utility value, such appearance has to serve a purpose. I have to repeat this directive today, because I believe it was not brought to the attention of the Bar. A former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Wole Olanipekun (SAN), who was in court for the Ize-Iyamu appeals, appealed to the CJN to allow 30 lawyers per party, a request another Justice of the apex court, Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour, rejected. The post CJN pegs lawyers’ court appearance appeared first on The Nation Nigeria.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, on Monday pegged the number of lawyers that could appear for a party in court at five, including the lead lawyer.

Justice Onnoghen announced this shortly before the Supreme Court opened proceedings in the two appeals filed by former governorship candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State, Osagie Ize-Iyamu.

He said the directive was meant to curb the practice when about 100 lawyers, in most political cases, announce appearance for a party in court.

He said: “There was a matter we had here and 106 lawyers appeared. The whole space was taken up and some lawyers had to stand and others sit on the floor. I have issued a directive, which should extend to other courts, that lawyers appearing in the Supreme Court, should not be more than five for each party, including the lead lawyers.

“This practice consumes space and it takes take time to announce appearance. Appearance in cases have to have utility value, such appearance has to serve a purpose. I have to repeat this directive today, because I believe it was not brought to the attention of the Bar.

A former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Wole Olanipekun (SAN), who was in court for the Ize-Iyamu appeals, appealed to the CJN to allow 30 lawyers per party, a request another Justice of the apex court, Justice Bode Rhodes-Vivour, rejected.

The post CJN pegs lawyers’ court appearance appeared first on The Nation Nigeria.