11th July, 2017
Justice Edith Agbakoba of the National Industrial Court, Abuja, has frowned at the actions of a lawyer, Ms Chipiefe Oduran, which led to unwarranted adjournment of a suit slated for definite hearing.
The lawyer filed a motion for extension of time on the same day set for hearing of the case.
Oduran, counsel to one Anthony Opaluwa, had instituted a suit against Arewa Hotels Development Limited since 2014.
The judge cautioned the counsel against act intended to cause unnecessary delay in the dispensation of justice, noting that filing a motion that morning was unfair.
The judge said that the intentional act amounted to prolonging the case and wasting the time of the court.
The hotel’s lawyer, Mr Ogbonna Nwanya, also registered his displeasure, noting that he was not opposed to the adjournment, but should be granted N50, 000 cost.
Oduran apologised severally to the judge, after which proceedings continued.
The judge adjourned the case until Sept. 19 for hearing.