Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode has commissioned the new court complex in Badagry. The six courtroom complex named after a former Chief Judge of Lagos, Late Justice Olusola was described by the governor as a “celebration of the expansion of the frontier of justice delivery across all the divisions of the State”.
He said that with the inauguration of the new court house, distance and geographical location would no longer be a barrier to the rule of law and social justice.
Governor Ambode maintained that his administration identified the need to expand the capacity of the judicial system within the Badagry axis to bring it at par with the spontaneous infrastructural transformation presently on-going within the division.
“As evident to all, the prospect of prosperity is gradually manifesting in the entire division of Badagry and the resultant increase in business and human activities would invariably increase the rate of disputes. This development requires that the justice administration here be expanded to handle the volume of court cases that would arise in the future” the Governor reiterated.
While restating his commitment to a more functional and responsive judicial system in the State, Governor Ambode promised to increase the number of Justices and Magistrates in various courts in the State as a way of reducing the work load on the present number of Judges and Magistrates.
In her address, the Chief Judge, Justice Opeyemi Oke described the commissioning of this Court complex as another commitment fulfilled by the Akinwunmi Ambode administration noting that the his edifice will serve the people of Badagry and its environs.
“It is a clear indication that justice is being brought to the grass root. It is also an indication that His Excellency is making speedy dispensation of justice a hallmark of Lagos State Judiciary. The judges from now can begin to work and live in a better furnished court complex and living accommodation provided for their welfare.
“Badagry, as a Judicial division of the High Court of Lagos State created a few years back, can now boast of a modern Court complex and the Judges do not need to share a Court room any longer”, she said.
Justice Oke emphasized that a reliable justice system is one of the pillars upon which economic development of any nation is built and sustained noting that no investor will put his money in an economy where justice could not be guaranteed.
“Therefore, for timely and responsive justice system, necessary facilities that will make our officers more efficient in the temple of justice must be provided. In this area, Lagos State Government has continued to set the pace in the provision of infrastructure and welfare of our judicial officers”, she said.
The Chief Judge gave the assurance that the state judiciary will continue to pursue its mission with discipline, honesty, hardwork, intergrity, credence, dignity and honour without diminishing the zeal for results and excellence.
Justice Oke commended plans by the governor to establish a Commercial Court in the State and build living quarters for the judges and magistrates in Ikorodu, Epe and Badagry divisions of the High Court of Lagos state
“There is no doubt that the welfare of the Judges and Magistrates are in the mind of His Excellency”, she stated.
According to her, the inauguration of Justice Olusola Thomas Courthouse ”marks another important epoch in the annals of Lagos State Judiciary as strong statement of commitment of the State Government to strategic approach in facilitating quick dispensation of justice in the State. This is no doubt a landmark achievement towards bringing judicial service closer to the citizens in all the five divisions of the State”.
The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in the State, Mr. Adeniji Kazeen commended the commitment of Governor Ambode on quick dispensation of justice and for continually improving the state of infrastructure of the state Judiciary.
According to him, the Olusola Thomas Court House was the second court house to be commissioned by the Governor this year. He had earlier in the year commissioned Justice Sikiru Adagun court house in Ajegunle, Lagos.
He described the inauguration of the Badagry courthouse as one of the strategies of increasing access to justice as well as a way of bringing justice closer to the people regardless of where they reside.
Kazeem said that the Governor had in the last two years paid adequate attention to the judiciary sector with the promulgation of various judicial reforms that had hitherto paved way for easier justice administration in addition to the construction of Modern court facilities across the State.
He informed that the Governor had also approved the establishment of Commercial Court, adding that plans are already on going to begin work on the laudable initiative.
A representative of the family of the late Chief Judge, Olumide Ayo-Thomas described the honour of naming the new court after the late Chief Judge as very historic eighteen years after his demise.
He thanked the state government, saying that the commissioning of the court house also coincides with the post humours birthday celebration of the deceased.
Executives of the various Branches of the Nigerian Bar Association were also present at the commissioning.
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