Lagos needs vibrant judiciary to drive development, says Sanwo-Olu

Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial and economic playing host to an estimated 21 million people, needs a vibrant judiciary system to drive development, the state governor, Babajide Sanw-Olu has submitted.

Sanwo-Olu made the submission in Ikeja on Wednesday while handing over 51 Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and eight houses to judges of the Lagos State High Court, saying that no arm of the state government would be deprived of tools to perform its statutory duties. He said it was necessary to support the state judiciary to enable it be at par with global trends in justice delivery and administration.

It was the second time within one year that Sanwo-Olu would give official vehicles to members of the Lagos State judiciary, as a similar event took place in October, 2019 when 50 cars were handed over to magistrates in the state.

“The judiciary is the bedrock of our society, and our judges need all the support they can get to effectively perform their duties. In line with this, we have devised a thorough process to overhaul our judiciary in such a way that justice is dispensed without fear or favour.

“There will be no dividends of democracy for the people if there is no active, independent, impartial and incorruptible judiciary. We will continue to provide the necessary training and infrastructure required to ensure that the integrity of the judiciary is not eroded,” he added.

The governor, therefore, urged the members judiciary to co-operate with the executive arm by showing highest form of dedication to their statutory duties, reminding them of the crucial role the judiciary plays in the building of a just and unified society.

“Our success as a government is highly dependent on our ability to entrench the rule of law through continuous collaboration with the judiciary,” he affirmed.

The chief judge of the state, Kazeem Alogba, described the event as “double grace” for members of the judicial arm in the state.

Alogba said: “The kind of support which the judiciary has received from the government of Babajide Sanwo-Olu is unprecedented and today’s event is historic because it is a double grace for our members. It is the first time a governor would be giving out vehicles to judges and accompanying the gesture with gift of houses.”