Press Releases

Lagos To Deliver Brand New Magistracy With Reformed Human Capacity - Fashola

May 8, 2008 - Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Thursday promised that the State Government would deliver a brand new magistracy whose distinctive attributes would include a reformed human capacity, infrastructural facility and procedural capacity.

Governor Fashola spoke at his Alausa office while receiving the report of the judicial reforms committee headed by former solicitor general, Mr. Fola Arthur Worrey.

He added that the state government is also committed to reforming the infrastructure at the entry point of the bench as work is currently going on at magistrates courts located in six different parts of the state to deliver courts with status that can compare to similar ones all over the world.

The Governor who identified the locations as Lagos Island, Ikorodu, Badagry, Epe, Ajegunle and Yaba also said approval has been given for the deployment of Information Technology and electronic recording devices as well as those who would man them to the courts.

The Lagos State helmsman added that simultaneously as the buildings are undergoing reforms, the state is also continuing with the training and exposure of the magistrates to practices in other jurisdictions.

He expressed admiration that the decisions of the committee were reached not by consensus but by debate which would have ensured the distillation of a diversity of opinion which is necessary for its rich.

He promised that the members of the executive council will deliberate on the recommendation and make it acceptable to the State legislature for necessary actions.

Governor Fashola explained that the setting up of the panel was informed by the quest to strengthen administration of justice in general and in particular increase the capacity to enforce law and order as well as ensure a minimum irreducible condition upon which life can be sustained.

He reiterated that the reform was a necessity as the magistracy constitutes the grassroots and most critical arm which the government cannot afford to ignore.

Earlier in his address, the Chairman of the Committee, Mr Fola Arthur Worrey said the choice of members of the committee was an inspired choice by the Governor which proved profoundly stimulating throughout the exercise.

While contending that the members are not claiming that the report of the committee constitutes a panacea to all problems in the magistracy but that it could act as a critical guide to achieving desired goals, he advised the Government to ensure the setting up of an implementation mechanism to drive the process of the reforms.

In his remarks at the occasion, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Augustine Ade- Alabi called for the setting up of a supervisory body of retired judges to monitor the activities of magistrates practicing all over the state.

He said the present arrangement where only the Chief Judge supervises the 114 magistrates on the State bench is very strenuous and is making monitoring process lacking in thoroughness.

He expressed his appreciation to the panel members for a job well done, adding that his support for the team was natural as one was bound to support any move that would strengthen one’s job.

Also speaking, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Supo Sasore (SAN) thanked the members of the panel which was inaugurated on 31st August for working quite hard to seek ways of improving the magistracy.

Among the members of the committee are Mr Kunle Ogunlana, Chief R.O Sadiq, Mr Demola Sadik, Mrs Oyindamola Ogala, Prof Bolaji Orosanya, Mr Deji Omotosho, Mr Toyin Basorun, Mrs Yetunde Pinheiro, Mr Chuba Mbanefo, Mr Taslim Animashaun,, Mr Femi Lijadu while Mrs Oyinkan Badejo Okusanya acted as the secretaray and was assisted by Mrs Iyabo Oshodi.