The Amuwo-Odofin Lawyers Forum has called for the continued independence of the judiciary, saying an impartial justice system is essential to upholding the rule of law and public confidence in the courts.

The Chairman of the forum, Chris Aghaonu, who made the call at the forum’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Festac Town, Lagos, said the judiciary should be allowed to carry out its constitutional responsibilities without undue influence.

According to him, once matters are brought before the courts, judges should be free to determine them based on the law and the facts before them.

“The judiciary should be truly independent. We will continue to have faith in the institution because without the judiciary, there is little we can do. Once a matter comes before the court, judges should be able to take the rightful decision, no matter who is involved,” he said.

Aghaonu also called for improved access to justice in Amuwo-Odofin, noting that residents often travel to judicial divisions in Apapa, Ikeja, Lagos Island and Badagry to resolve tenancy and other legal disputes.

He identified landlord-tenant disputes as the most common legal challenge in the area noting that the expansion of judicial infrastructure in Festac would bring justice closer to residents and ease the burden on litigants and law enforcement agencies.

Reviewing the forum’s activities over the past year, Aghaonu said its free legal clinics handled matters relating to landlord-tenant disputes, matrimonial causes, probate and administration of estates, preparation and execution of wills, as well as other civil legal issues affecting residents.

He added that the forum also intervened in a child protection case involving the alleged defilement of a minor in collaboration with the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), Badagry Branch, and has continued to monitor the matter following legal advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) that the defendant has a case to answer before the High Court.

The chairman said the forum remained committed to promoting access to justice through legal aid, public interest advocacy and community service.