Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has assured the judiciary of continuous cooperation and support to ensure improved access to justice by all Lagosians, irrespective of social and economic status.
Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance in a goodwill message delivered at the Lagos Central Mosque to mark the commencement of the 2021/2022 legal year, noting that despite the challenges of the mindless destruction and vandalisation of Igbosere High Court, the oldest court building in Nigeria, the judicial system has continued to function effectively and efficiently.
He commended the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba and the entire members of the State Judiciary for the success recorded in the last legal year in spite of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and the aftermath of the #EndSARS protest, which was hijacked by hoodlums to wreak havoc on public and private assets.
The Governor, represented by the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Prince Olarewaju Elegushi, noted that the resilience showed by the judiciary in the past year was a reflection of the quality of leadership and commitment of the entire members of the judicial arm.
He reiterated that his administration remains committed to the ongoing reconstruction of Igbosere High Court and renovation of other courts, including the digitisation project aimed at enhancing speedy dispensation of justice, stressing that it is one of the objectives of the Security and Governance pillar of the State government’s T.H.E.M.E.S agenda.
The Chief Judge of the State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, in his address, promised the people of the State an improved performance in the new legal year, adding that despite the destruction and burning of Igbosere High Court by hoodlums under the guise of a protest, Lagos Judiciary is back on its feet and poised to perform better in the new legal year.
An Associate Professor of Islamic Studies, Lagos State University (LASU), Ustadh Kabir Paramọlẹ, who spoke on the topic, “Essence of Effective Administration of Justice in Nigeria”, at the Central Mosque, Lagos, stated that it would be difficult for the country to move forward without equity and justice.
Prof. Paramọlẹ admonished judges to have the fear of Allah and deliver justice with fairness, saying “Those of you, who are just and fair when delivering judgements, on the day of resurrection you shall see the mercy of the Almighty Allah”.
Similarly, a Church Service was held to mark the commencement of the new legal year at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, where the Lord Bishop of Awori Anglican Diocese, Rev. Akin Atere, urged judges and lawyers to uphold justice and righteousness.
According to him, the country’s fate is in their hands and depends on their proper use of judicial power.
“The repair and restoration of this country start from the Bar and Bench because everything stops on your table. If you decide today that Nigeria will prosper, not even the devil can change your statement, because your statement, your word is authority”, Atere said.
The Administrative Judge of Ikeja, Hon. Justice Atinuke Ipaye, represented Justice Kazeem Alogba, the Chief Judge of Lagos State at the service.
