Security Concerns: Federal Courts in Anambra, Ebonyi, Imo Still Closed After Two Weeks

Several federal courts, including the Court of Appeal, National Industrial Court, and Federal High Court, remain closed in the southeastern states of Nigeria due to ongoing security threats. The shutdown has lasted for over two weeks, causing disruption to legal proceedings in the region.

According to recent updates, the Federal High Courts in Enugu and Abia states have resumed operations after being closed for two weeks. The Enugu court reopened on Tuesday, while the Abia court resumed on Monday.

The closures began on October 27 after a threatening statement was circulated by an unknown group demanding the release of detained Biafrans. The statement, which claimed to be from the “Biafra Government,” threatened to shut down the federal courts in the region unless all detained Biafrans were released by October 27, 2024. It also warned of attacks on non-Biafran judges and called for the closure of the Court of Appeal divisions in Owerri, Awka, and Enugu, as well as all Federal High Courts and National Industrial Courts in the region.

The statement accused the courts of promoting “anarchy, death, insecurity, and instability,” blaming them for the governance of Hope Uzodinma, which it claimed had caused harm to local communities. As a result of these threats, the Court of Appeal in Owerri canceled its sessions scheduled for late October, citing security concerns.

In Enugu, increased security measures were put in place, including the deployment of armored personnel carriers, but the judges stopped sittings due to safety fears. Administrative activities have continued cautiously, though judicial staff have been notably absent, and only limited proceedings have occurred.

Meanwhile, federal courts in Abakaliki (Ebonyi), Awka (Anambra), and Owerri (Imo) remain shut down. In Awka, the Appeal Court and Federal High Court have been closed after gunmen visited the premises two weeks ago, issuing threats that court proceedings should halt until the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The gunmen warned that any continued court sittings would lead to attacks.

Although the Appeal Court in Awka has not faced direct threats, there is palpable fear among staff and security personnel, leading to the closure of the courts. Local sources confirmed that the courts have not held sittings since late October, with administrative staff remaining on high alert.

Litigants have expressed frustration over the delays caused by the ongoing court closures, with some accusing the judiciary of using the security situation as an excuse to avoid work. There is concern that cases, including high-profile ones like that of the Enugu Labour Party candidate, are being postponed indefinitely, leaving individuals languishing in prison.

Legal professionals are calling for urgent action to resolve the security challenges in the region and ensure the resumption of court activities, which have been severely disrupted by the unrest.