The Lagos State Judiciary has organized four-day training for Sheriffs of the High Court to acquaint them with new civil procedure rules in the legal profession. The training programme which started on Monday at the Training School in Ikeja will end on Thursday 17th January 2019.
The representative of the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Honourable Justice Opeyemi Oke who declared the training opened explained that the training will also equip the participants with skills on how to implement certain aspects of the new civil procedure rules. She said that the training was in accordance with modern court practices and was meant to expand the knowledge base of Sheriffs.
Justice Oke who was represented by the Admin Judge of Ikeja, Honorable Justice Doris Okuwobi noted that the training was necessary as the state Judiciary has concluded plans to introduce automation in the service of court processes. ‘l will make no pretense that the workforce of the Sheriff Section of the High Court must update their skills. There is the urgent need for reforms in the court system and in accordance with modern court practices. The basis of reforms is to help in the delivery of justice in line with principles of a fair hearing and easy access to justice,” the Chief Judge added.
The Chief Judge who maintained that the participants at the training have been on the job for many years stated that there is the need to retrain the officials for better performance. The attitude to the workshop according to her should be approached from a growth mindset perspective, stressing that the training presents prime opportunity to expand the knowledge base of all staff.
Justice Oke used the occasion of the training to dispel purported reports of corrupt practices among members of staff, assuring members of the public that the Judiciary will not hesitate to deal decisively with any of its officials caught engaging in any form of corrupt practices.