House of Justice, Open Society Justice Initiative, and Global Rights have appealed to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justice John Terhemba Tsoho to intervene in the alleged unfair treatment of female Counsel appearing before the Court.

This is contained in a letter dated 21st day of September, 2020 jointly signed by Gloria Mabelam Ballason, Esq., Chidi Odinkalu (PhD) and Abiodun Baiyewu, Esq which was made available,sighted by Legaldeskng

They noted that it came to their attention and have been verified that “several honourable judges of the Federal High Court in different places insist on asking female counsel appearing before them to indicate whether they are married or single by requiring them to make a mandatory choice between the honorific titles “Mrs” or “Miss” when they announce themselves in court”.

In addition, they alleged that if they refuse to do so, they “run into trouble with conducting their cases, suffer unacceptable bullying from the court or jeering and sniggering”, and other unfair treatment.

Meanwhile, they noted that this treatment has no basis in the rule of court or the Law applicable to the Federal High Court.

Besides, they noted that this practice is violative of section 34 of the 1999 Constitution guaranteeing the right to human dignity of human person and also, section 42(1) of the Constitution prohibiting discrimination on the basis of sex, “which equally extends to the equal protection of the laws of all users of the courts, especially to female advocates”.

Therefore the stated that the alleged treated by these “honourable judges of the Federal High Court violates high constitutional principle, in addition to basic courtesies.”

“We are pained that this is coming from a superior court of record that should be at the forefront of the defence of these principles.” The said.

Thus, they said they are appealing to the Chief Judge with the hope that prompt action will be taken to bring this practice to a halt.