IT’S TIME TO VIGOROUSLY TACKLE DELAY IN JUSTICE DELIVERY, AMBODE TELLS JUDGES
Lagos State Governor, Mr Akinwunmi
Ambode on Monday tasked the judiciary to come up with innovative models to
vigorously tackle delay in justice delivery, saying it was time for all
stakeholders to engender speedy and efficient administration of justice system
in the country.
Governor Ambode, who spoke at a
Special Service held at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, to mark the
official commencement of 2018/2019 Legal Year of Lagos State Judiciary, said
the issue of delay in justice delivery was still a major concern, and that it
was time for all hands to be on deck to enhance confidence in the legal system.
He said Lagos, being the economic
hub of Africa, must be at the vanguard of judicial reforms, adding that the
State’s justice sector must be sound, fair and effective.
“As our State remains the cynosure
of excellence and the economic hub of Africa, our judiciary must continue to be
at the forefront of judicial reforms to meet the expectations of the modern day
justice sector. My lords, we bear the responsibility of 24million people who
look up to you and I to protect them with the law. Our justice system must
remain sound, fair and effective.
“The plague of delay in justice
delivery is still of major concern. All stakeholders in the sector must ensure
that the issue of delay is tackled vigorously by creating innovative models for
achieving speedy and efficient justice delivery system which can be replicated
more broadly across the country.
“The fact is this; the expectation
of the citizens is huge and it requires all stakeholders to work continuously
to enhance confidence in the legal system, promote the rule of law, and
guarantee the protection of lives and property,” Governor Ambode said.
He said since the commencement of
his administration, conscious efforts and initiatives have been put in place to
enhance justice delivery, as well as respect the constitutionally roles of the
three arms of government.
“Our administration recognizes the
separate but interwoven roles of the three arms of government and part of our
own commitment to a lawful and orderly society is to respect the limits of
those constitutional roles which we have always done.
“One of the cardinal policies of our
government has been the enthronement of law and order and today, I stand a
happy man knowing we have delivered on those promises,” he said.
Speaking on some of the initiatives
of his administration in the justice sector, the Governor said due to the
increased work load and number of cases in the courts, more judges and
magistrates were appointed, as well as construction of more court houses and
renovation of existing courts to befit the judiciary, together with improved
welfare for judicial officers in the State.
He added: “The introduction of the
Lagos State DNA and Forensic Centre further enhanced the quality of justice
delivery in the State and we have also developed policies and legislations that
will aid speedy dispensation of justice.”
While congratulating members of
judiciary on the commencement of the New Legal Year and wishing them fruitful
deliberations, the Governor equally assured of his continued support and
partnership to further enhance justice delivery in the State.
In his sermon at the service,
Diocesan Bishop of Lagos, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Rt Rev
Humphrey Olumakaiye commended judges for the role they have been playing in
national development but admonished them to dispense justice without fear or
favour and always uphold justice.
He said judges, being distinguished
and eminent people in the society, must know that it was God's blessings that
enriches, and as such, they should eschew injustice which he said could lead to
chaos, disaster and maladministration, among others.
"Righteousness exalts a nation
but since is the reproach. To be successful, judges must do the right thing
moment by moment and day by day. The only thing that can sustain you at the top
is godly character and integrity.
"Justice must not only be done,
it must be seen to have been done. Justice must be dispensed without fear or
favour. Let justice be done though heavens fall. We all must know that we shall
give account of our stewardship on the day of reckoning," Olumakaiye said.
On 2019 elections, the clergyman
prayed for God's will to be done in Nigeria, just as he said the nation needs
strong moral foundation at all levels.
"Let us go back to the path of
honesty, love, sincerity, dignity of labour, righteousness, discipline,
integrity, hard work, excellence, zeal for result, among others," he said.
Besides, Olumakaiye commended
Governor Ambode for the good work being done in the State, saying the Church
was proud of the sterling performance and would continue to support and pray
for him.
IT’S TIME TO VIGOROUSLY TACKLE DELAY IN JUSTICE DELIVERY, AMBODE TELLS JUDGES
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