JUSTICE DELAYED IN COURTS IN NIGERIA: CAUSES, EFFECTS AND WAY FORWARD

Abstract

Justice delayed is not just denied but justice destroyed. Justice is the foundation of a democratic society. Where justice is unduly delayed, fundamental rights are denied. The judiciary is constitutionally empowered to provide legal redress for any breach, yet it faces the persistent challenge of delay in the delivery of justice. This paper appraises Justice Delayed in Nigerian Courts: Causes, Effects and Way Forward and finds that there is no all-encompassing provision in Nigeria’s criminal or civil law capable of compelling the quick dispensation of justice. The absence of such a compelling instrument renders both the Bar and the Bench vulnerable. The paper adopts a doctrinal methodology through the examination of statutes, case laws, and existing literature. It recommends a review of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act to incorporate specific timeframes within which matters may remain in court, after which they should be struck out unless exceptional circumstances justify their retention. The paper also recommends the establishment of a judicial mechanism for recognizing and celebrating judgments that meet essential indices of quality and are delivered within a reasonable time.