What I Saw Yesterday At Magistrate Court 9, Uyo
What I Saw Yesterday At Magistrate Court 9, Uyo
By Ndi Aquaisua, Esq.
Yesterday, Monday, 15th November, 2021 was quite hectic for me having to shuttle between High Court and Magistrate Court 9. Even though it was very hectic and stressful as I stated above, all the lawyers that were before Your Worship, Sam Ukoima Esq. (Mag. Grade II) Left the court with happiness and satisfaction based on what played out in the courtroom.
I was excited because I saw a rent matter (Mrs. Abigail Okon Asuquo vs. Mary James Ufot - RC/U/651/2021) which came up that day in court for the first time, was conducted from the beginning to the end and judgment was also delivered on the spot that same day. The parties testified, they were Cross-examined and judgment was delivered immediately by the Learned Magistrate. All these were done in less than two hours.
Lawyers were very excited and took out turns to commend the learned Magistrate for being hardworking and dedicated to duty. Though the court rose at about 3:00pm, I learnt there are days he sits till 4:00pm.
Some of the lawyers who took out turns to commend the learned Magistrate included Ekeminiubong Eboro, Esq. who thanked Your Worship for his time and industry devoted to the matter. He stated further that in his two years in legal practice, this was the first time he has seen a matter come up for the first time and both parties were cross-examined and judgment delivered on that same day. He concluded by saying that in his opinion, justice has been done today and I commend the Court.
I also appreciated the court for a job well done. The Police prosecutor was not left out as he also praised the Learned Magistrate.
If clapping of hands were allowed in courts, lawyers and litigants would not have hesitated giving Your Worship, Sam Ukoima, Esq. a thunderous round of applause.
What I saw yesterday in court further solidifies my position to the effect that rent matters should not exceed fourteen days without judgment being delivered.
Lawyers taking dates to come back for continuation of cross-examination, adjournment letters, long adjournments and Magistrates taking dates to deliver rulings on rent matters are some of the factors that delay the speedy dispensation of justice in rent matters. In my view, these factors are banana peels spread on the landlords' paths to justice and as we know, justice delayed is justice denied.
Further more, it is injustice to a landlord who spends far more than the rent he collected from the tenant, just to eject the tenant lawfully out of his house without resorting to self-help.
Without the above mentioned factors, rent matters can safely be concluded within seven days of commencement. I am also of the view that adjournments in rent matters if necessary, should not exceed two days interval till judgment is delivered.
Tenants take advantage of the slow dispensation of justice in rent matters by the court to overstay in people's houses. Most times, when they are confronted by the respective landlords, they are quick to tell the landlords to go to court because they know the matter might take time in court or worst still, they know the landlords might not be financially capable to pass through the rigorous processes of going to court..
As a very young, intelligent and fearless Magistrate that Your Worship, Sam Ukoima Esq. is, if he continues with this level of passion, consistency and dedication to duty, we will not be surprised when we appear at Supreme Court one day and see him seated amongst the Justices of the Court presiding over matters in the court.
In conclusion, Your Worship, I thank you very much for opening the eyes of landlords and tenants to see that hearing can be done and judgment delivered on that same day. On the other hand, thank you Your Worship for letting everyone know that delays in rent matters are purposely caused by litigants, lawyers and even the court.
