9th October, 2017
Gov. Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State said on Monday that the state’s huge investment in the establishment of a DNA and Forensic Centre was aimed at facilitating a speedy dispensation of justice in the state.
“It is in fulfillment of our promises to advance the course of justice that the first-ever DNA and Forensic Centre was commissioned to aid the investigation and dispensation of justice.
“The people will be further assured of our transparency and accountability in their access to justice,” the governor said.
He spoke at a special service to kick off the activities marking the Golden Jubilee 2017/2018 Legal Year of the state judiciary at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos.
Ambode promised the administration’s support and partnership with the judiciary in the discharge of its statutory responsibilities.
“This administration has laid a foundation for good governance, peace and public order and our justice system must be made sound and effective.”
He congratulated judges and magistrates as well as other officers of the state judiciary on another legal year, saying the “state’s judiciary has a stellar reputation nationwide.”
“I will like to congratulate the members of the busiest judiciary in Nigeria on maintaining a high standard of institutional integrity.
“Lagos State has a general reputation for stellar reforms in the justice sector as well as great integrity and independence over the years and we are very proud of it.
“The judiciary was instituted in 1967 and has continued to grow in leaps and bounds; the volume of cases handled by the judges and magistrates has necessitated the appointment of additional judges and magistrates.
“We are focused on improved welfare and continuous infrastructure development to further enhance the quality of justice delivery,” Ambode said.
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In her speech, Justice Opeyemi Oke, the State Acting Chief Judge, pledged her commitment to the improvement of the sector and appealed to those she called “indolent legal practitioners” to turn a new leaf.
She said:“The judiciary takes its task of serving the community very seriously and I am assuring you on behalf of the judges that we are going back to the foundation.
“We are going to ensure that every member of staff of the judiciary will be responsible.
“I will like to take this opportunity to appeal to the members of the bar, we cannot do this alone, we need you; we want to stop corruption and lateness.
“We want to ensure that every staff of the judiciary takes an oath of office, oath of allegiance and secrecy, this is very important.
“We are going to be tough, it is not going to be business as usual.”
Oke warned lawyers against the practice of seeking numerous frivolous adjournments in a bid to frustrate court processes.
“Lawyers involved in such practices will be sanctioned,’’ the acting chief judge said.