Fashola Hands Over Judges Quarters, Commends Courage Of Lagos Judiciary

Feb 9, 2012 - Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola SAN) on Thursday handed over five residential quarters built for High Court Judges by the State Government, commending the State Judiciary for standing firm in the defence of the principle of justice that justice must be done consistently without fear or favour.

Governor Fashola who spoke at the Judge Quarters at 3 Glover Road, Ikoyi said it is instructive that the State Judiciary at these very challenging times have despite pressures demonstrated courage.

"You have demonstrated courage and it is not the type of courage that does not know fear. On the contrary, it is the type of courage that has proceeded in spite of that fear to do the task at hand with a quiet dignity and in the belief that what you are doing is right", he said.

Governor Fashola said in constructing the new buildings, the Lagos State Government is seeking to insulate judicial officers from fear of the future which includes undue anxiety over tomorrow or where they lay their heads. He quoted the famous words of retired Jurist, Hon Justice Mohammed Akanbi …."The mind that administers justice must be free from financial embarrassment. He must be able to think straight to be able to deliver good judgement… Poor conditions of service disturb the mind, " to buttress the determination of the State Government to provide the houses.

While emphasizing that the new block of duplexes are owner occupied, he said it is instructive that at the end of the initiative lies the need to ensure the independence of the State judicial officers.

"This quarters should not be put up for leasing or letting to third parties and should not be put up for sale. It undermines the security, independence and protection of judicial officers if we have persons who are members of the public living amongst them in such a way as to suggest to the public that our judicial officers are not immune from interruption and interference"", the Governor warned.

While commending the former Governor, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former Attorney- General, Professor Yemi Osinbajo and former Chief Judges like Justice Christopher Segun, Justice Ibitola Sotumininu and Justice Ade Alabi, he specially praised the present Attorney General, Mr Ade Ipaiye for ensuring the completion of the project which was initiated by Mr Supo Sashore (SAN), adding that he represents the character that one should recommend for state building and nation building.

"Not for us, the case of abandoned projects, abandoned ideas but really a spirit of continuity informed by the merits of persuasive and laudable reforms and this is the story that lies at the heart of the succession plans for Attorney General to Attorney General and from Chief Judge to Chief Judge"

"I think it is the story that has taken us from the reforms that started in the High Courts to reforms at the next level of the justice system which is the Magistracy. We now have new laws like we have new High Courts procedure rules that have become nationally accepted", the Governor stated.

Governor Fashola added that the reforms going on in the Magistracy will help in democratizing justice by taking justice closer to the people who now have a new Magistracy law that enables them sit on Saturdays.

"This is instrumental to ensure that citizens get justice even over the weekend and that their rights remain at the fulcrum of our obligation for protection", he added.

Speaking earlier, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon Justice Inumidun Akande said the State Judiciary has witnessed tremendous boost under the current administration in LagosState.

She added that this is evidently manifest in various programmes and policy initiatives of the State Government towards enhancing administration of justice and has been demonstrating in clear terms its unwavering commitment to enhance dispensation of justice and welfare of judges and Magistrates in the State Judiciary.

The Chief Judge charged the Judges to reciprocate the State gesture by ensuring that the buildings are utilized for the purposes they were earmarked, stressing that they are Judges residential and should remain so.

She warned the beneficiaries to shun the idea of subletting or outright sale of any of the units in whatever guise as that would defeat the purpose for which the buildings were allocated.

In his welcome address, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ade Ipaiye said the provision of the houses is neither the beginning nor the end of the housing programme for High Court Judges, adding that many owner-occupied lodgings have been delivered already and many more will still be delivered to the Lagos State Judiciary.

He also thanked the Governor for what he has done thus far and the other projects that he is even now thinking of embarking while also commending the conscientious judges of Lagos State.

The beneficiaries of the five units of fully detached 5-bedroom houses are Justice Opeyemi Oke, Justice (Mrs) D.T. Okuwobi, Hon Justice K.O. Alogba and retired Justice Marsh and Justice Shitta- Bey.

The ceremony was attended by many dignitaries including some members of the State Executive Council, the member of the State House of Assembly representing Eti Osa I, Mr Yishau Gbolahan, the Asoju Oba of Lagos, Chief Molade Okoya- Thomas, many Judges of the State Judiciary and Magistrates, traditional rulers and lawyers.