The Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Sagbama Branch, Barr. Ogheneochuko J. Sampson, has supported calls for the establishment of special courts to fast-track the prosecution of kidnapping and banditry cases across Nigeria. Speaking with journalists in Yenagoa ahead of the branch’s 2026 Law Week, Sampson described the proposal as a positive step toward addressing insecurity, noting that similar arrangements already exist for electoral matters.
“The idea of special courts for kidnapping and banditry cases is a welcome development and should be replicated across the country,” he said. However, he questioned whether federal and state governments would provide the resources needed to sustain such courts, including funding, judicial personnel, and infrastructure.“The challenge is not just creating the courts.
Governments must be willing to fund them, employ more judges, and provide the necessary facilities,” he added.Sampson also stressed that tackling insecurity requires broader efforts beyond the judiciary, calling for greater accountability in the management of security resources and measures to curb the proliferation of illegal firearms.
Commenting on the justice sector in Bayelsa State, the NBA chairman commended Governor Douye Diri’s administration for investments in judicial infrastructure and road projects, which he said have improved access to justice in several local government areas.
He rated the performance of the state’s judiciary at 80 percent, citing improved court facilities and stronger collaboration between the bench and the bar. The NBA Sagbama Branch’s 2026 Law Week is scheduled to hold from June 21 to June 28 with the theme: “True Justice: The Need for Institutional and Individual Accountability in Safeguarding Democracy.”
