Lagos State Chief Judge seeks urgent reconstruction of Igbosere High Court

Urges Sanwo-Olu to stop the proliferation of traditional rulers

The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, has appealed to the state government to urgently look into the reconstruction of the Igbosere High Court, which was burnt in the wake of the violence that trailed the October 20, 2020, #EndSARS protests across the nation.

Justice Alogba made the appeal after a minute of reflection during his vote of thanks to marking the opening of the 2022/2023 Legal Year of the Lagos State Judiciary at the Lagos Central Mosque, Lagos Island.

The CJ, while lamenting the destruction of the court, said that it was a monumental edifice that must be revived.

He also urged the government to expedite efforts, including the provision of needed funds to rebuild the oldest court edifice in Nigeria.

He said: “The judiciary will only function effectively when it is devoid of state and public interference in adjudicating justice delivery. The best way the judiciary can discharge its responsibility without fear or favour is when it is truly independent.”

MEANWHILE, in his reaction to the plea, the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, said that a trust fund had been set up to rebuild public structures destroyed during the violent protest.

According to Hamzat, the reconstruction of the Igbosere High Court Complex will be the first to be rebuilt with the fund.

In a remark, the Bashorun Musulumi of Lagos, Alhaji Sikiru Alabi-Macfoy, urged the CJ to revive prison visits to address over-population as the number of awaiting trial inmates far outnumber convicted inmates.

On his part, Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West (Anglican Communion), Rt. Revd. Olusola Odedeji admonished the state judiciary to uphold truth and justice at all times.

The bishop, who gave the admonition at a church service at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos, urged judges and magistrates to use their positions and tenures in service to God and to humanity, bearing in mind that their positions were not accidental but providential.

According to him, society believes in the judiciary as a professional and they look up to it to fight crimes and corruption in the country.