By LAWANSON OLUWATOPE
LAGOS- The Lagos State Government has warned Nigerians to stop destroying government assets as it took a tow on funds and delays development.
Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu gave the warning at a special prayer session to begin the state’s 2022/2023 Legal Year, at the Lagos Central Mosque, Lagos Island, on Monday.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the New Legal Year was heralded by a procession into the Central Mosque led by the Chief Judge, deputy governor, Judges, Magistrates, member of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) among others.
Sanwo-Olu who was represented by his deputy, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, condemned the destruction of Igbosere High Court which was burnt during the violence that trailed the October 2020 #EndSARS protest.
NAN reports that the protest, which started from social media campaigns and metamorphosed into street demonstrations, was against the excesses of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), now disbanded.
“We have learnt our lessons and we can assure that never will such happen again in the history of Lagos.
“Also, a trust fund has been set up to rebuild public structures destroyed during the EndSARS protest.
“Igbosere High Court Complex will be the first to be rebuilt with the fund,” he assured.
Sanwo-Olu also assured that his administration would continue to partner with the Judiciary to facilitate quick dispensation of justice in the state.
He said: “Our government has been supporting the judiciary owing to the critical role the arm plays in ensuring law and order as well the protection of rights of every resident in the state.
The governor pledged to continue to provide conducive working environment for the judiciary to thrive and ensure quick dispensation of justice in the state.
He noted that quick dispensation of justice remained a function of everybody in the value chain to make sure that they did the right thing.
Speaking on independence and the interference of dispensation in dispensation of Justice, Sanwo-Olu assured that his government never interfered with the work of the Judiciary.
In his address, the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Kazeem Alogba, commended the state government for the support the Judiciary had continued to enjoy in terms of infrastructure and logistics which had enhanced service delivery in the judicial sector of the state.
Alogba applauded the state government for its support and promptness toward judicial matters in the state.
Earlier in his remark, the Bashorun Musulumi of Lagos, Alh. Sikiru Alabi-Macfoy, called on the State Chief Judge to revive Prison visits to address over-population as the number of awaiting trial inmates far outnumbered convicted inmates.
He urged the Chief Judge to ensure that matters enjoyed accelerated hearing, noting that justice delayed was justice denied.
“Justice dispensation should be fast, swift and treated with the fear of Allah.”
Delivering a lecture on”Dispensation of Justice: Panacea to Dwindling Economy and Political Instability in Nigeria”, an Islamic Scholar, Dr Ishaq Sanusi advised Judges and Magistrates to revive justice in order to achieve political and economic stability.
Ishaq explained that if justice was restored in the country, inequality and insecurity would be dealt with and the economy would improve for the better.
Similarly, speaking on “The Role of Judiciary In The Fight Against Rising Insecurity in Nigeria, Ustadh Abdulhakeem Awwal, said that the judiciary remained the representation of Allah on earth in terms of justice dispensation.
He advised them to be just, Being the custodian of law, he urged that all they did must be justified and based on truth.
NAN reports that the event was graced by Judges, Magistrates, members of the Nigeria Bar Association, SANs, traditional leaders, Muslim clerics and staff of the Judicial Service Commission. (NAN)
