THE LEARNED SQUIB
Vol 1 No 10 5th June 2001
When I see a genius, I know him. Actually it is an act of ingenuity to recognize a genius. Many people are genius-blind. They just can’t recognize a master-mind when they see one.
Look at our Governor, Bola Chic-Tinubu. The man is a genius. I have always known this. I have kept my verdict to myself to avoid being stoned by rather impatient Lagosians. Until now.
His latest manifestation of genius thrilled me no end that I hereby openly declare my admiration. Well, damn your stones! The said manifestation shouts to the heavens but dolt heads can’t even feel it. Alas!
What are we talking about? The new increment on sundry Judicial fees (filing fees etc.) This beautiful noose is being misconstrued by many people who are not thinking very deeply. They complain that the fees, are too exorbitant and that for some time now receipts by which to make the payments are not even available. I have seen lawyers reeling under the weight of the new fees, shock written all over their faces. They just can’t comprehend why fees went up so astronomically. E.g. filing fees for Landlord-Tenant matters rose magnificently from N306.00 or thereabouts to N1,000.00, and fees for affidavits from N5.00 to N50.00.
But isn’t all this wonderful? First of all this is a clear dividend of democracy. But more importantly Mr. Chic-Tinubu has very smartly solved the intractable problem of congestion of cases in the Lagos Courts.
What a man of genius! The Eyo Heritage Consolidator, has with rare insight gone into the root of the problem. We all talk about congestion of cases in the courts; cases are too many, take too long to be determined and judges are dying off like striken rabbits. Blah! Bla! Blah!
What should a man of genius do?
Employ more judges? Oh yes but not enough. Build more courts? Oh yes but not enough. Introduce electronic recording into the courts? Oh yes but not enough. For all these are pedestrian panacea.
Go to the root of the problem! Every problem has a root. And the root of the congestion of cases in the courts lies in the registry. Far too many people rush to court nowadays to institute action over petty matters.
For example a man has just lost his wife to his landlord. He would come to court. A woman has just had her shop damaged and looted by her Local Government. She would rush to court…all these because the fees are affordable. Instead of just enduring all indignities and all persons rush to court. Where then remains the meek who shall inherit the earth?
But now the FLOOD of cases, now dammed by high fees would soon reduce to a proportion of a STREAM and before long becomes a RIVULET and then a trickle before resting at mere DROPS.
Of course when we come to this point, there won’t be too many cases in court again. Judges will have more relaxation time and the society will be better off through self help efforts. Honestly, Bola Chic-Tinubu is a genius…If you still don’t agree I won’t be surprised.
After all you suffer from ‘geniusiasis!’
Related link: www.learnedsquib.blogspot.com
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