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Tag: Lagos CJ

  • Lagos CJ urges judiciary workers to be committed

    Lagos State Chief Judge Justice Opeyemi Oke has urged officials of the state judiciary to key into her commitment statement for the judiciary.

    She emphasised that it was expedient for  law officers to be guided by the statement to ensure quality service delivery and to further assure Lagosians of the determination of the judiciary to ensure justice.

    She stated this while unveiling her commitment  statement at Ikeja and Igbosere High Court premises.

    She said:t “Is the hallmark of accountability, transparency and efficiency needed for effective discharge of duties within the state judiciary.

    “As the 6th female and the 16th chief judge of Lagos State I made a commitment statement at the inception of my tenure and at the swearing in ceremony to ensure a new dawn in the judiciary and to redeem the battered image of the judiciary by ensuring that every member of staff key into my mission and  vision statement in order to improve on the service delivery.’’

    Justice Oke said her intention was to use the commitment statement as a reminder to members of the staff of their duties and obligations that must be professionally delivered to members of the public and to also show her determination to bring a new dawn to the state judicial system.

    She also added that the commitment statement would be erected in all court premises and chambers within the Lagos State judiciary as well as the five divisional offices of the Nigerian Bar Association.

    Justice Oke thanked the judiciary as well as the judges for their support and urged them to key into the commitment, vision  and mission statement of the office for better service delivery.

    Responding, the chairmen of NBA from Ikeja, Ikorodu and Badagry,  Adesina Ogunlana, thanked the chief judge for the innovation and pledged their loyalty to ensure the attainment of expected results in her dispensation.

     

  • Lagos CJ inaugurates two council election tribunals

    The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Oluwafunmilayo Atilade yesterday inaugurated two tribunals to look into complaints arising from the conduct of last week’s local government elections in the state.

    Justice Olateru Olagbegi was named as chairman of the first tribunal, Mrs. Folashade Adetiba was appointed chairman of the second tribunal.

    Members of the first tribunal included Mrs. Aigbokhavio, Miss Badejo Okunsanya, Mr. Fadeyi and Abdulazeez Jimoh.

    While the membership of the second tribunal included Mrs. D.T Olatokun, Mr. Paul, Mrs. Olajuwon and Mr. O. Olaibi

    Speaking during the swearing-in ceremony at the conference room of the Ikeja High Court, the Chief Judge  charged the committee members to see their new task as a call to service and ensure that the oath of office remain their guide.

    “ I urge you to see this as a call to service and to know that people are watching, all eyes are on you. Your oath of office should remain your guide,” she said

    Justice Atilade explained that the local government election held on July 22, 2017 in Lagos State remains inconclusive without providing a platform as prescribed by the Electoral law, for aggrieved parties or individuals to seek redress through seamless legal process.

    The Chief Judge said those appointed to serve in the committee are men and women of proven integrity who are vast in relevant laws.

    She gave assurance that they would deliver on the assignment and give justice accordingly.

    Justice Atilade further urged them to be wary of people especially family members, school mates and church members who at this time will be calling and texting them for favours with regards to their new duties.

    “Like Ceasar’s wife, you should be above board. You will be approached by friends, school mates, church members etc. Please stay away from them.” she advised.

  • Lagos CJ frees 66 Kirikiri inmates

    Lagos CJ frees 66 Kirikiri inmates

    Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade yesterday freed 66 awaiting trial inmates at the Kirikiri Medium security prison.

    The gesture was part of her efforts to decongest the prisons.

    Those freed were being held in prison for non-capital offences. They had been in custody for up to nine months.

    She released them by virtue of the powers under Section 1(1) of the Criminal Justice Release from Custody Special Provisions Act Cap 40, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2007.

    Justice Atilade, who was billed to free 35 inmates, increased the number to 66 after officials prevailed on her to consider 31 other inmates picked from under some bridges and streets in order to decongest the prison.

    Over 100 requests for amnesty were received by the Amnesty Committee headed by Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye. The panel approved 35 of the requests.

    Telling the inmates to ”go and sin no more”, Justice Atilade said the only way to reciprocate the gesture was for them to live a good life and be of good conduct henceforth.

    “You are hereby released from this prison today May 9, 2017. Go and sin no more,” she said.

    Justice Atilade said the gesture was to decongest the prison and also ensure the reformation of the freed inmates.

    “The impact of this exercise can only be felt when you the beneficiaries of this amnesty show that you are truly reformed. I wish you the very best and you should see this as an opportunity to start afresh,” she said.

    Earlier, the Deputy Comptroller of Prison, Mr Yomi Oluwaniyi, said the facility was in ”dire need of new structures and vehicles”.

    “You may wish to know that the resources and facilities of these prisons are seriously overstretched. We are doing everything possible to manage the challenge. This is why we are appealing to your lordship to use your influence to prevail on the Lagos State Government to build two more structures for us here. We also need about two Black Maria to help us with the challenge of transporting inmates to various courts where their matters are being handled,” he said.

    The prison, which was built to accommodate 1,700 inmates, has 3326 inmates. 2789 are awaiting trial, 537 are convicts.

     

  • Customary courts to handle criminal cases, says Lagos CJ

    The jurisdiction of customary courts in Lagos State is soon to be expanded to cover some aspects of criminal cases, the Chief Judge, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade, said yesterday.

    Justice Atilade said a bill to this effect is now before the House of Assembly. She added: “It will soon be passed. Once it is passed and signed into law by the governor, it becomes a legal instrument and the enabling law in that regard”.

    She spoke while opening a two-day workshop on the “Application of Criminal Procedure at the Customary Court level for Customary Court Presidents and Judges” held at Amber Residence, GRA, Ikeja.

    The Chief Judge, represented by Justice Kazeem Alogba, noted that presently, customary courts’ jurisdiction is limited to trials of offences against local government bye-laws including marriage dissolution conducted under customary laws, guardianship and custody of children among others as enunciated in Section 16 of the Customary Court Law Cap C19, Laws of Lagos State, 2003.

    She said the new approach being made for customary courts to adjudicate on some aspects of criminal matter is geared towards ensuring greater access to justice at the grassroots.

    She said it was also to relieve the magistrates’ courts of certain cases that are best handled at the customary court level.

  • Lagos CJ frees 20 awaiting trial

    Lagos CJ frees 20 awaiting trial

    THE Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade yesterday granted freedom to 20 inmates of the Ikoyi prison awaiting trial.
    The Chief Judge had visited the prison as part of the activities marking the beginning of the 2016/2017 legal year.
    She said they were released on exercise of powers granted her under the Criminal Justice (Release from Custody), Special Provisions Act, Cap C40 2004 Laws of the Federation.
    Justice Atilade said those granted freed were among a total of 104 names of inmates whose names were submitted by the Prison Decongestion Committee headed by Justice Oluwatoyin Ipaye for consideration, out of which only 20 are worthy.
    She admonished those released from prison custody “to go and sin no more”.
    She reiterated that prison visit is one of the key pillars of her administration to regularly visit the custodial institutions of Lagos State with a view to granting amnesty to eligible and qualified inmates.
    The Chief Judge however lamented the high number of inmates awaiting trials in prisons.
    She said: “A number of factors have contributed to the large number of awaiting trial inmates. These include ongoing investigations by police, the time lapse between the issuance of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP’s) advice and filing of the case in court, operational delays such as transportation from prison to court and lack of legal representation.”
    Since her Inauguration as Chief Judge in 2014, Justice Atilade had granted freedom to a total of 265 prison inmates.
    The Deputy Comptroller of Prison (DCP), Ikoyi Prison, Ezugwu Julius, lamented the over population of inmates at the Ikoyi Prison.
    He urged the Chief judge to help stem the tide of awaiting trial person’s phenomenon and decongest the prisons through speedy conclusion of cases in courts.
    Julius said those granted freedom have been trained on various skills such as soap making, catering, among others, aimed at making them useful to the society.

  • Lagos CJ, EFCC to tackle corruption

    Lagos CJ, EFCC to tackle corruption

    The judiciary will support the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the fight against corruption, Lagos State Chief Judge Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade has said.

    The CJ spoke when EFCC Acting Chairman Ibrahim Magu visited her.

    She said a team of  judges were ready to handle corruption cases with dispatch.

    She  advised the EFCC that matters were usually slowed down not because of the judges but the prosecution teams of the commission.

    She appealed to the EFCC to embrace the plea bargaining system of justice in some financial crimes which saves time and reduces the cost of justice.

    Earlier, in his address,  Magu com-mended and appreciated the state Judiciary in terms of standards, hardwork and commitment to the job.

    According to him, “Lagos State occupied an enviable position in our scheme of things. As at 2015, we have had 103 convictions in the corruption cases brought to courts. This shows the commitment and zeal of the judges towards the fight against corruption. For such a judiciary we must thank the Chief Judge and her team for a job well done”.

    He advocated the  continuous  designation of judges on EFCC cases and that magistrates at the Igbosere axis be designated to handle remand orders.

    He assured Justice Atilade that the training and retraining of judges and prosecutors have been an ongoing preserve of the EFCC,  adding that such training would further assist the judges in the criminal Justice Division in the state and enhance their job.

    Other issues that came up for discussion during the meeting include that of  filing of cases and compilation fees for appeals.

     

  • Lagos CJ frees 11 inmates

    Lagos CJ frees 11 inmates

    11 inmates of Ikoyi Prisons, Lagos, have been released by the state Chief Judge, Justice Oluwafunmilayo Atilade, to celebrate the new year with their families.

    Justice Atilade granted freedom to 10 awaiting trial inmates on Wednesday, while one was released on Tuesday from prison.

    ‎The release of the inmates was in exercise of the powers conferred on the Chief Judge of the state pursuant to the provisions of Section 1(1) of the Criminal Justice Release from Custody Special Provision Act CAP C40, 2007, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

    The chief judge ‎said the gesture was not just aimed at decongesting the prison but also to ensure that deserving inmates are made to breathe fresh air of freedom.

    “Though significant, our visit coming at this time of the year is not designed as a coincidence but in exercise of our statutory responsibilities to dispense justice with fairness and to ensure that people are not unduly kept behind bars”, she stressed adding “this among others has been top on my priorities since assumption of office in August, 2014”.

    Justice Atilade disclosed that the High Court of Lagos State has introduced a new initiative named “Bail Information Management System (BIMS) to facilitate speedy trials and dispensation of cases and to ensure a drastic reduction in the number of awaiting trials.

    She described the new initiative as “a ground breaking innovative stride to improve administration of criminal justice in Lagos state and to minimize delays in the prosecution of persons awaiting trials, particularly those in prison custody”.

    ‎Aside guaranteeing ease of access to relevant information as may be required for effective bail management; she said BIMS is also intended to eliminate all known challenges in criminal prosecution.

    ‎Atilade admonished the freed inmates to “go and sin no more” and be of good behaviour and make positive impacts in the society.

    “In congratulating the beneficiaries of today’s exercise, I must note that they are being given another opportunity to start afresh, more so as it is coming on the eve of a new year.

    “I do sincerely hope and pray that those being granted amnesty today will be of good conduct and would do no such thing capable of bringing them back into prison.” She said.

    The Chief Judge urged to Office of the Public Defender, the Nigerian Bar Association and Non-Governmental Organisations to assist inmates whose cases are ongoing to ensure speedy dispensation of justice.

    The Deputy Controller, Ikoyi Prisons, Mr. Julius Ezugwu, in a welcome address said the facility which had a capacity for 800 inmates currently held 2084 inmates.

    He said; “the prison currently holds 2,084 inmates. The numbers of convicted inmates are 210 while those awaiting trial are 1,874.”

    Ezugwu noted the very cordial working relationship that currently exists between members of the Criminal Justice System made up of the judiciary, the police and some non-governmental organisations.‎

    “The synergy and collaboration amongst us has translated into the orderly, stable and peaceful community that abounds in this prison,” he said.

     

  • Lagos CJ to investors: we’ll help recover your debts

    Lagos CJ to investors: we’ll help recover your debts

    The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade, has assured local and foreign investors in the state that the court will assist them in recovering their debts.

    She stated this while inaugurating the newly-built Fast-Track Court Registry at the Igbosere Division of the state High Court.

    Justice Atilade said the Lagos judiciary created the Court in 2006 to handle commercial disputes such that they would be resolved and disposed of within nine months.

    Atilade pleaded with lawyers not to frustrate the objectives of the court with “incessant preliminary objections and applications for adjournments”.

    This, according to her, was because the initiative was to allay the fears of investors on the ease of doing business in the country by ensuring that business disputes were resolved expeditiously without compromising the rules and standard or miscarriage of justice.

    According to her, the court will handle matters related to disputes in business, revenue, mortgage and other kinds of commercial disputes.

    ”This is with the view to boosting foreign investment in the economy, encourage commercial transactions, including lending and borrowing, giving them (investors) hope and assurance that the Lagos State judiciary will, where found meritorious, help hasten the recovery of debts owed in Nigeria.

    ”This will not only build and attract more investors into the economy, but also strengthen public confidence in the administration of justice to reinforce the true essence of the provisions of Section 36 (1) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended),” she added.

    The Head, Fast-Track Court, Justice A. J. Coker, praised the Chief Judge for ensuring the completion of a registry for the Fast-Track Court, which she said had been long overdue.

    Coker noted that over 4,000 cases were filed and assigned in the last one and a half years among the 10 judges posted to the division, stressing that the creation of a separate registry would boost the efficiency of the court.

    The Executive Director, Human Development Initiatives, Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, who represented the Justice-4-All team, pledged the support of organisation to the advancement  justice administration in the state.

    Among other things, Owasanoye promised that J4A would assist in the training of the staff of the new registry, as well as bring back the expatriates who trained the judges to assess the level of efficiency of the court.

  • Lagos CJ deploys 10 judges in long vacation

    Lagos CJ deploys 10 judges in long vacation

    Lagos Chief Judge, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade has approved the deployment of 10 judges as vacation judges during the long vacation for judges of the High Court of the state.

    The vacation has been fixed for between Wednesday, July 22 and Thursday, September 17, 2015 for judges.

    A statement by the Court Registrar, Emmanuel Ogundare stated that the Chief Judge approved the long vacation in accordance with the powers conferred on her  pursuant to Order 45, Rule 4 (D) of the High Court of Lagos State Civil Procedure) Rule 2012.

    The statement said work would resume on Friday, September 18.

    According to the statement,  Justices Olamide Akinkugbe andOlubunmi Femi-Adeniyi will take charge of the court between July 22 and August 7, 2015 in Ikeja and Lagos judicial division respectively; Justices Olabisi Odugbesan and Serifat Sonaike are slated for between August 10 and August 21, 2015 in the two divisions respectively; Justices Femi Adamson and Abisoye Bashua for between August 24 and September 4, 2015 in the two divisions respectively; Justices Abdulfattaj Lawal and Adedayo Akintoye for between September 7 and September 17, 2015 in the two divisions respectively.

    The duo of Justices Latifat Oluyemi and Lateefat Folami were deployed as substitute judges in Ikeja and Lagos judicial divisions respectively.

    It said: “notwithstanding the long vacation, the criminal division of the high court of Lagos State may sit through the period of the vacation. When a judge of the criminal division is on vacation, a vacation judge may be assigned to deal with all urgent pending criminal cases in court.

    “Notwithstanding the long vacation, any cause or matter may be heard by a judge during the period of the vacation (except on Sunday or public holiday) where such cause or matter is urgent or a judge, at the request of all the parties concerned agreed to hear it.

    “Any application for an urgent hearing during the vacation made by summons in chamber before the vacation judge or a judge before whom a substantive case is pending to hear it.

    “Please note that vacation ends Thursday, September 17, 2015 while 2015/2016 legal session will start Friday, September 18, 2015.’’

    The statement added that the new legal year services would be held in the mosque and church on Monday, September 28.

  • Lagos CJ assures workers of improved welfare

    Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice  Olufunmilayo Atilade, has said she is committed to improving the health status and welfare of workers in the judiciary in the state.

    The Chief judge gave this assurance last week while inaugurating a new staff restaurant at the Roseline Omotoso new court building at the old Secretariat, Ikeja GRA.

    She said the opening of the restaurant, also marked the opening of similar ones in Epe, Ogba, Ikorodu and Ajegunle courts.

    Justice Atilade said that the establishment of the restaurant was in line with the promises she made during her swearing in about a year ago that the welfare of judiciary workers would be paramount to her.

    According to her, the new eatery would provide workers with good food prepared under good hygienic conditions adding that the eatery would not only served judges but also lawyers and other judicial workers, especially those who might not be opportuned to have breakfast before coming to the courts.

    Justice Atilade said the caterer was  chosen to ensure that quality food were served compared to what is served at bukaterias said to be of low quality.

    In her remarks, Head of the Family Courts, Justice Yetunde Idowu who recalled that the Chief Judge recently inaugurated a restaurant in State High Court, Igbosere, said all the restaurants established by the state judiciary ranked among the best in town and assured workers that they would provide them with good edibles.

    Justice Idowu thanked the Chief Judge for her commitment to the improvement of staff health conditions and welfare.

    Other judges of the state High Court  on the occasion include Justices Lateef Lawal-Akapo, Olaide Olayinka, Omolara Kayode-Ogunmekan, Lateefat Folami, Sedoten Ogunsanya, Ganiyu Safari, the Chief Registrar, Emmanuel Ogundara and other principal officers of the judiciary.