Two-day power blackout cripples Federal High Court Lagos

For the second day in a row, activities at the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos have been crippled following a power blackout.

The court has been in darkness since Wednesday morning following the non-supply of electricity to the facility.

Some cases slated for hearing Wednesday and Thursday, could not go on as the atmosphere was inconducive for some judges.

Despite the poor lighting nevertheless, some judges, court officials, lawyers and litigants carried on proceedings.

However, most of the judges and lawyers took off their wigs and gowns – compulsory courtroom attire – during proceedings, because of the heat.

The court authorities could not resort to an alternative power source because of the unavailability of diesel to power the two generators servicing the facility.

Lagos, like several other parts of the country, has been in the throes of another round of fuel scarcity since Tuesday last week.

A court official, who spoke in anonymity, confirmed that there was no diesel

Some lawyers equally expressed their displeasure about what is happening.

Another lawyer, who declined to be named, also complained.

“This is very bad, how can the Federal High Court which has wide jurisdiction in adjudicating cases like pre-election matters not be able to power generators for the comfort of its judges? The situation in the country is really alarming as no sector is working optimally,” the lawyer lamented.

Eko Electricity Distribution Company which services the area had yet to reply to The Nation’s enquiry as of the time of this report.

The Federal High Court’s Lagos division is the busiest or second busiest in the country.

The Nation reports that on February 23, an almost eight-hour power blackout stalled activities at the court.

On that day, the court was in darkness from about 8am till the close of business.

It could not resort to an alternative power source because the two generators which supply backup electricity were faulty and undergoing repairs.

A similar power outage the same day at the Lagos High Court sitting at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) lasted for over an hour.