By Willies Ugo, Gombe
Gombe – May 18, 2025
The Gombe State branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has resolved to boycott sittings of the Court of Appeal in Maiduguri, Borno State, citing renewed insecurity and threats posed by insurgents along the Gombe–Maiduguri highway.
The decision was reached at an emergency virtual meeting of the branch, where members unanimously expressed concern over the safety of legal practitioners and litigants traveling to Maiduguri, following the transfer of all appellate matters from the now-inactive Gombe Division.
In a statement jointly signed by the branch Chairman, Sati Benjamin, and Secretary, Abdulmutallib Babawuro, the association criticised the continued closure of the Gombe Division of the Court of Appeal, despite the absence of any security threat in the state.
“The branch resolved that members shall not attend the sittings of the Court in Maiduguri on grounds of insecurity due to the resurgence of Boko Haram activities along the Gombe–Maiduguri road,” the statement read.
The branch further resolved to formally communicate its position to the President of the Court of Appeal and the Presiding Justice of the Maiduguri Division, citing insecurity and procedural concerns over the relocation of cases.
The association directed that all lawyers and law firms served with hearing notices from the Maiduguri Division should respond with formal letters, accompanied by a remittance of N1,000, stating security concerns as grounds for non-attendance.
In a related move, the branch plans to seek an audience with the Gombe State Governor to discuss the implications of the court’s closure and explore possible interventions.
The NBA noted that Gombe accounts for the highest number of pending appeal cases among the three states previously served by the Gombe Division—Gombe, Yobe, and Borno.
Established in 2020, the Gombe Division is equipped with office facilities, staff quarters, and residential accommodations for justices, most of which were provided by the Gombe State Government and the Court of Appeal.
Since its establishment, the Division had been active, drawing legal practitioners and litigants from across the region.
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