Litigants urge Lagos Chief Judge to reopen Igbosere Magistrates’ Court

By Paul Iyoghojie

Concerned litigants, court users, and Police Investigating Officers (IPOs) have appealed to the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, to urgently reopen the Igbosere Magistrates’ Court on Lagos Island.

They say the prolonged closure of the court has caused significant hardship, forcing them to attend to their cases at magistrate courts in Ebute-Metta, Yaba, and Surulere. Many of these cases are assigned from the Tinubu Magistrates’ Court, Lagos Island, making the situation even more stressful for affected parties.

Five years after #EndSARS incident

The Igbosere Magistrates’ Court was torched during the #EndSARS protests five years ago. Since then, court users say they have endured daily difficulties due to the court’s closure.

The appellants urged Justice Alogba to apply the same efficiency and speed with which he completed the new High Court at Tapa, Lagos Island, within two years, to ensure the full rehabilitation and reopening of the Igbosere Magistrates’ Court.

Commendation for judicial reforms

Several litigants who spoke with P.M.NEWS acknowledged the Chief Judge’s efforts in transforming the Lagos State Judiciary. They noted his achievements in constructing new court buildings, reconstructing damaged facilities, and rehabilitating existing ones across the state.

According to them, these developments have positioned Justice Alogba as one of the most impactful Chief Judges Lagos State has produced.

However, they appealed to him to replicate the same progress at Igbosere Magistrates’ Court to ease the stress currently faced by court users.

“Complete the good work” — Litigants speak

Mr. John Adoghe, a litigant, praised the Chief Judge’s infrastructural strides since assuming office.

“I commend Chief Judge Kazeem Alogba for his unprecedented achievements in the Lagos State Judiciary, especially in infrastructure development and renewal. I appeal to him to complete this good work by reopening the Igbosere Magistrates’ Court for public use,” he said.

Another litigant, Mr. Babatunde Adisa, highlighted the Chief Judge’s leadership style, particularly his unannounced visits to courts.

“What fascinates me about Justice Alogba is his habit of visiting courts without prior notice. Unlike in the past, when court officials would prepare extensively ahead of scheduled visits, he prefers to see things as they truly are. That approach has contributed to the transformation we are witnessing. I urge him to complete the rehabilitation and reopen the Igbosere Magistrates’ Court,” Adisa stated.

Appeal for better facilities at Tinubu Magistrates’ Court

In a related development, litigants have also called on the Chief Judge to urgently provide adequate seating at the Tinubu Magistrates’ Court.

They explained that since July 2025, they have been displaced from the space under the staircase where they previously sat, reportedly due to complaints about noise. As a result, many court users are left standing within the premises while waiting for their cases to be called.

Some of those who spoke with P.M.NEWS urged Justice Alogba to pay an unannounced visit to the court between 9:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. to personally observe the situation.

According to them, litigants and other court users are often seen standing around the premises “as if waiting for a bus,” due to the lack of adequate seating arrangements.