Enugu Lawyers Protest Prolonged Virtual Court Hearings, Demand Return to Physical Proceedings

Lawyers in Enugu North District of Enugu State on Tuesday staged a protest against the continued use of virtual court proceedings by judges in the area, demanding an immediate return to physical court sittings.

The lawyers, drawn from judicial divisions including Nsukka, Obollo-Afor, Enugu-Ezike, Ogbede, and Umulokpa, expressed frustration over what they described as years of ineffective virtual hearings that have hampered the smooth administration of justice. During the protest, they argued that the arrangement has caused delays in cases, increased costs for litigants, and made court proceedings less efficient.

According to leaders of the protest, judges initially adopted virtual proceedings due to security concerns along the Enugu-Ugwogo-Opi-Nsukka Road, where incidents of kidnapping had been reported. However, the lawyers maintained that the continued reliance on virtual hearings has created significant challenges, including poor internet connectivity, difficulties in presenting evidence, and limited opportunities for judges to properly assess witnesses during testimony.

The lawyers also complained that many courts in the district lack the necessary technological infrastructure for effective virtual proceedings, forcing some court officials to rely on mobile phones and outdated computer systems to conduct hearings.

They insisted that while virtual proceedings are recognized by law, they should not replace physical sittings in substantive cases without adequate facilities.

The protesters called on the Enugu State Government and the judiciary to either equip the courts with modern digital facilities or direct judges to resume physical court sittings. They warned that if their demands are not met, lawyers in the district may boycott virtual proceedings and ground court activities across the zone.

The protest highlights growing concerns among legal practitioners about access to justice in Enugu North, with many arguing that prolonged virtual hearings have negatively affected the timely resolution of cases and public confidence in the judicial system.