Exparte Orders

Ex parte orders serve as urgent judicial tools intended to preserve the status quo and prevent irreparable harm pending a full hearing. However, their increasing misuse in Nigerian courts has raised serious concerns about judicial overreach and the erosion of the constitutional right to a fair hearing. This article examines the legal nature of ex parte orders, identifies common patterns of abuse, and analyses the safeguards developed by Nigerian courts to ensure that such orders remain temporary, proportionate, and consistent with the demands of justice.