LAGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola has explained why the state reviewed its magistrates’laws.
He spoke at this year’s convention of the Magistrates’ Association of Nigeria (MAN), which had as theme Career magistrate – The way forward. It held at the Archbishop Vining Memorial hall, Ikeja, Lagos.
Fashola (SAN),who was represented by the Attorney -General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ade Ipaye, addressed the opening of the three-day national convention of the magistrates.
Fashola said the magistrate court laws were reviewed and re-enacted to resolve the disparity among magistrates in the state. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to the maintenance of law and order in the state.
The governor by said magistrates play a major in the administration of justice in the state.
He explained that the essence of having a magistrate court alongside the high courts in the new court buildings in the state is to provide the necessary amenities that would enhance adjudication of justice.
In her address, the Lagos State Chief Judge Justice Ayotunde Phillips urged the magistrates to be focused. She charged the magistrates not to entertain fear while delivering their judgments or allow themselves to be deterred by petitions.
“Don’t give judgment based on the fear of likely petitions that your judgment may attract. Lawyers would always write petition, so whether you are right or wrong the petition would come,” she said.
She disclosed that a new electronic filing system would soon be introduced to the Lagos magistrate courts to enable litigants to file their matters on line.
The Interim Publicity Secretary of All Progressives Congress (APC) Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who was the guest lecturer, lamented the delay in the administration of justice in the country. He urged the judiciary to find a solution to the problem, which has remained a challenge to the judiciary.
Mohammed, who spoke on the Disparity in the Judiciary and need for a review, said effective delivery of judicial functions in the lower bench could not be achieved without adequately attending to the welfare of magistrates in the judiciary.
He suggested better remuneration and welfare package for magistrates to motivate them.
The APC chieftain also decried the deplorable state of magistrates’ courts, noting that most of them are untidy with cobwebs, cracks on the walls, and dust on the floors, among others.
He, however, urged the state governments to pay more attention to the re-orientation of magistrates to get the best out of them.
The magistrates thanked the governor and the chief judge for taking good care of them during the event.
National President of MAN, Mrs. Nkiru Franklin-Iguh, described Justice Phillips as a big sister to all of them. She caused all those in the hall to laugh when she chose to call the chief judge, Anty Ayo. “Anty Ayo, e ma binu o pe mo pe yin ni anty. I am sure some states would be wishing to have someone like you as their chief judge. My Lady, the CJ of Lagos gave us all we had within a short time. We also thank the governor for his support. We know Lagos is the Centre of Excellence. We have seen a lot of excellent things in Lagos and we are taking them all back with us to our different states. It has been a very memorable time and we intend to savour it for long,” she said.
Chairman, Lagos MAN, Mrs. Adeola Adedayo, described the Chief Judge as a mother to all. “We thank you for being a mother to us. When we decided to have this conference, you were there for us. All the magistrates in Lagos appreciate your concern for our welfare,” she said.
The state Solicitor-General Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN) said the magistrates represented an important section in the justice delivery in any state and that they deserved special recognition. He said this was why the state government increased the jurisdiction of the magistrates, particularly in criminal matters.
The magistrates gave awards to 10 Nigerians for their contributions to magistracy.
The awardees were the Commissioner of Police in Delta State, Mr Ikechukwu Adugba; Mr Ipaye; former Attorney-General of the state and Chairman, Law Reform Commission, Mr Olasupo Sasore (SAN); Senator Aisha Jumai Alhassan and the Executive Secretary of the state’s Judicial Service Commission, Mrs. Ayo Ougbesan.
Others were Justice Latifat Folami, the Chief Judge of Gombe State, Justice Hakila Hemen, Acting President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zanaib Bulkachuwa, Justice Ayotunde Phillips and Mr Fashola.
