By Jonathan Ugbal
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A Cross River State High Court presided over by Justice Bassey Ebute has for the third time within a week failed to deliver judgment on a public interest case.
The case, instituted by rights activist, Citizen Agba Jalingo, is seeking community interpretation on relevant laws that provide for free, compulsory basic education thrice in one week.
The judgment on suit HC/91/2022 was initially billed for Thursday, June 16, 2022. But, Justice Ebute said he did not have a “clean copy” of the State’s Universal Basic Education Law of 2006 to use in determining the case. It was adjourned until Monday, June 20th, but the Judge failed to sit, and the matter was adjourned off record until today, June 23, 2022.
Upon arriving in Court, F. Baba Isa Esq, who is the counsel to the plaintiff, Agba Jalingo, pointed out to the clerks that the matter was not listed on the cause list for the day. And, after a brief communication, Friday, June 24 2022, was selected for the delivery of the judgment.
As at the time the new date was taken, the counsel to the defendants, Okon Asuquo Esq, was yet to appear in Court.
Mr. Isa told CrossRiverWatch that he feels bad each time the Judge fails to deliver the judgment due to the fact that it keeps increasing the cost of litigation, especially as there was little or no support.
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