The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has condemned the prolonged closure of the Court of Appeal, Owerri Division, Imo State, since October 2024.

In a statement signed by its Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, RULAAC called for immediate action to reopen the court and address the backlog of cases.

According to the statement, “The shutdown reportedly stemmed from threats issued by a faceless pro-Biafra group, which ordered non-Igbo judicial officials to leave the state. While the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) swiftly disowned the threat and stated that it was only meant to last a week, judicial authorities have kept the court closed for over four months.”

RULAAC questioned the rationale for the prolonged closure, noting that other courts, including the High Court and the National Industrial Court within the same vicinity, remain operational. The advocacy group highlighted inconsistencies in responses to security threats, pointing out that courts continue to function in the Boko Haram-ravaged Northeast and in Kaduna State, where insecurity remains rampant.

“With over 6,000 pending cases and an additional 1,500 new cases every month, the shutdown of the Appeal Court has left countless litigants in legal limbo. Judicial abdication in the face of unverified threats undermines the rule of law and access to justice.”

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) had previously expressed concern about the impact of insecurity on judicial functions in the Southeast. In December 2024, the NBA President urged the judiciary to adopt alternative solutions, such as virtual hearings or relocating court sessions, to ensure that justice is not halted indefinitely.

RULAAC has now called on Southeast governors to take decisive action to ensure the security of judicial officials and the resumption of court activities. The organisation also urged the judiciary to explore innovative solutions, including mobile courts and digital hearings, to prevent further delays in legal proceedings.

“The judiciary must not surrender to fear,” said Nwanguma, Executive Director of RULAAC. “Justice must not be held hostage by insecurity. The government and judiciary must restore public confidence in the legal system.”

As stakeholders await a response from judicial authorities and state governments, legal practitioners and affected litigants continue to grapple with the implications of the prolonged closure, raising urgent questions about the future of justice delivery in the Southeast.