Chaos as judges, litigants are ordered out of Abuja court

There was an uproar at the federal high court, Abuja division, as judges, staff and litigants were ordered to vacate the premises on Wednesday.

According to NAN, at about 1:20pm, some judges abruptly stopped proceedings and left the court room.

The staff of the court also abandoned their duties and dashed out of the premises.

“We are asked to leave the office now but I don’t know the reason,” a staff who pleaded anonymity said.

Inquiries from Memunat Folami, the court’s deputy chief registrar, administration, revealed that the directive came from the National Judicial Council (NJC).

She said the special assistant to John Tsoho, chief judge of the federal high court, had delivered the NJC’s instructions directing all staff to close for the day.

“You know the head of the court cannot pass instruction and we will not carry it out. Even the ministry of justice staff did not come to work today,” Folami said.

The shutdown of the court may not be unrelated to the recent happenings over the #EndSARS protests.

Earlier on Wednesday, suspected thugs broke into the Igbosere high court in Lagos state and made away with some files.

Some of them also carted away court equipment, including desktop computers, laptops, fans, chairs, air conditioners, and freezers.