The governor of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode, has stated his administration will not stop to improve on the achievements in the judicial sector and ensure that judges, magistrates and the courts in the state work in a conducive atmosphere.
Speaking on Friday at the 2015/2016 Legal Year Dinner at the Nigeria Law School, Lagos, the governor reiterated the important role the judiciary plays as the last hope of the common man.
He stated the Lagos State Judiciary had been the pioneer of judicial sector reforms in the country from 1999, when Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, was Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice of the state.
He stated his predecessor in office, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, also followed suit by initiating and implementing far reaching reforms which went a long way to improve on the justice delivery system.
Ambode added, “It was these reforms that gave birth to the Office of Public Defender, Citizens Mediation Centre, Public Advisory Centre, the Multi-Door Court House System, which offers an alternative and effective dispute resolution mechanism; the construction of more courts as well as the appointment of more magistrates and judges.
“These initiatives have expanded the frontier of justice delivery, which has deepened its relevance as the last hope of the common man.
“I am committed to ensuring that this administration continues with these reforms. We will work with the judiciary to move our justice sector to a higher level. The reform process is not a finished business, it is a work in progress.”
He alluded to the fact that a recent World Bank ranking of countries on the basis of ease of doing business, rated Nigeria low, noting that one of the parameters considered was the ease with which disputes arising from business transactions were resolved.
The governor explained that the report was an indication that the nation’s desire to build a globally competitive economy that would attract foreign investors, could not be achieved without a vibrant judiciary.
“It is therefore imperative that as we address the issue of infrastructural deficiency to ease the process and reduce cost of doing business, the issues of rule of law and timely dispensation of justice must also be given priority,” he stated.
Responding to an appeal made by the Chief Judge of Lagos, Justice Funmilayo Atilade, in her welcome address, the governor promised to address the issues raised accordingly.
Justice Atilade expressed concerns that the Lagos State Judiciary was still ficially subservient to the Ministry of Justice, saying it was most undesirable as the arrangement clearly negates relevant laws and constitutional provisions.
She appealed to the governor to assist in effecting the return of Judiciary Capital Vote as required by Law and in the spirit of separation of powers as applied to the other arms of government.
“To a very large extent, as we demonstrate our implicit confidence in our able governor to right the wrongs of the past, help reposition and propel the State Judiciary to desired heights, we must sincerely express our gratitude to His Excellency for all the support and kind understanding.
“Truly, he has within the short period of his administration demonstrated strong interest and concern in the growth of the Judiciary and in the welfare of judicial officers, magistrates and all personnel the of the Lagos State Judiciary,” she also stated.