Supreme Court, Appeal Court Sit Despite FCT Public Holiday
The Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal held proceedings this Friday despite the public holiday declared in Abuja by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike. The courts heard and delivered rulings on several cases as scheduled.
Lawyers, including Senior Advocates of Nigeria, attended the sessions. However, activities at the Federal High Court and the FCT High Court were largely paralysed. No judges sat at the Federal High Court, while the FCT High Court fully observed the holiday.
Wike had declared the holiday to allow residents participate in the Area Council elections scheduled for Saturday. The decision has since sparked criticism from civil society groups.
The Policy and Legal Advocacy Centre described the move as sweeping and lacking clear justification. The group said elections should be conducted in a calm and normal atmosphere, not under conditions that create inconvenience and uncertainty.
