The presiding judge of Lagos High Court Special Offences Division, Seyi Solebo, on Thursday, said the reason cases linger in Nigeria’s courts was because lawyers don’t play by the rules.
She made the remark when a defence lawyer was trying to defend a claimant on a land dispute between Ayodele Johnson and Mrs Folake Job and six others.
“We are meant to be noble people. And noble people admit it when they are wrong than distorting the facts with stories that are not true.”
She said the way lawyers present cases makes even judges confuse and not able to think well.
“we are not being straight. We should follow the rules of the practice,” she said.
In the case, which was before the judge, what the defence lawyer gave to the court did not tally with the statement presented.
The defence said his claimant fell ill, while in the statement he said he was not free on the date he was to appear in court.
