Lagos Judicial sector undergoes transformation

Lagos judicial sector is set to under go transformation, Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has promised.

The governor says it part of his administration’s commitment to reform the Lagos judiciary.

The transformation involves changing the face of court rooms and court premises across the state.

The governor says judicial proceedings would no longer take place in an unconducive environment.

The Governor also promised a total transformation of court rooms, buildings and other facilities for speedy dispensation of justice.

 “Judicial officials, such as judges, lawyers and other workers would operate in an ambience suitable for the job they do.”

SANWO-OLU SPEAKS

Speaking on Saturday during an inspection to Lagos High Court, Igbosere and Ikeja High Court, GRA, Ikeja, Governor Sanwo-Olu said as his administration continues to deliver dividends of democracy to the people of Lagos State, it will ensure that the judicial arm is not left to suffer.

The Governor said the Lagos State Government would set up a joint committee between the judiciary and the executive to work toward putting in place a rebranded and renewed physical infrastructure in the judiciary in the months and years ahead.

He said: “The whole objective of the exercise (inspection to the courts) is for all us to continue our collaboration between the executive and the judiciary, understanding fully well that we are all set up to serve our citizens. And the only way we can serve is to ensure that all of us have the right ambience and have the right environment for that service to continue to happen.

“Lagos State judiciary is reputed as the foremost judicial service in the country not only with the number of judges that we have but the caliber of our judges. Beyond that is also to look at both the physical infrastructure and welfare of our judges.

COMMITMENT

“As a government we felt beyond just sitting down and talking about separation of powers, we see ourselves as partners in the same delivery of service to our citizens either in the judiciary, executive or the legislature.”

Speaking further on his administration’s commitment to judicial reform in Lagos State, Governor Sanwo-Olu said: “We need to improve on their (judges) current state and make them a lot better so that our judges can sit back and dispense off their services under an ambience that is fit for purpose.

“We have seen things by ourselves. We are setting up a joint committee between the judiciary and executive. They would start work almost immediately. But we need to work around the logistics of how all of these will happen. This is because there will be a bit of displacement and inconveniences. So, we want to plead ahead for plaintiffs and complainants’ understanding. They need to understand that we are about to scale up our physical infrastructure in most of our courts.”

We will also be seeing a rebranded, renewed physical infrastructure in the judiciary in the week, month and years ahead.”

SIGNIFICANCE

Stressing the importance of his visits, Sanwo-Olu said: “What we have done in the past three hours is to see for ourselves the state of physical infrastructure of our various courts and I must say that indeed, we can do better.

“Coming out of this inspection is to see how we can work collaboratively with the Lagos State judiciary service. And also how we can set up the means to begin extensive renovation of some of our courtrooms. The infrastructure around the court premises, both at the high and magistrate courts deserve attention.”

The Governor was accompanied on the visit by his deputy, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat; Secretary to the Government of Lagos State, Mrs. Folashade Jaji; Chief Justice of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba; Head of Service, Mr.Hakeem Muri-Okunola and Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General of the State, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), among other government and judicial officers in the State.