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Tag: Lagos State Judiciary

  • Stakeholders eulogize former Lagos CJ at valedictory court session

    Lagos State Judiciary on Thursday, held a special Valedictory Court Session for former Chief Judge Justice Opeyemi Oke.

    The event, which attracted stakeholders in the judiciary, was held at The Foyer, Lagos High Court, Igbosere.

    It was attended by judges, magistrates and legal practitioners, including former Attorney General, Adeniji Kazeem, the first lady silk, Chief Folake Solanke (SAN) and first female Life Bencher Mrs. Hairat Balogun.

    The Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) was represented by Mr. Tunji Ayanlaja (SAN).

    They all eulogised the former chief judge as “a jurist of positive change and first class reformer of administration of criminal justice”.

    The acting Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, described Justice Oke as an advocate of a positive change in the administration of justice.

    Justice Alogba, who read the citation of his predecessor, described her as an achiever and a jurist with distinctive leadership qualities, emphasising that Justice Oke cherished her oath of office and integrity.

    Ayanlaja said those who appeared before Justice Oke would attest to the fact that “she was a judge per excellence”.

    Read Also: JUST IN: Sanwo-Olu appoints Alogba as acting Lagos CJ

    He described the former chief judge as one who had a hard stance for integrity.

    “Justice Oke took to the bench as an analogue judge but retired as a digital judge;  came in as a Christian but retired as a redeemed Christian; came in as a judge but left as a chief judge; came in as a mother but left as a grandmother,” he stated.

    Mrs. Balogun said as soon as she was appointed chief Judge, Justice Oke carried out wide-ranging reforms in the state judiciary  more than her predecessors and for which she would continue to be remembered for.

    She listed some of the reforms initiated by Justice Oke and urged the acting chief judge and staff of the state judiciary to be courageous in sustaining her legacies.

    Chief Solanke remarked that despite her short tenure, which was less than two years,  Justice Oke recorded “very impressive performance,” adding that was why she made it a point of duty to come to Lagos to honour her yesterday at the special court session.

    She listed the achievements of the former Chief Judge and urged staff of the state judiciary to emulate her, particularly her anti-corruption fight.

    Chairman of Ikorodu Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Bayo Akinlade, who spoke on behalf of the five branches of NBA in Lagos State, said Justice Oke was “bold and courageous”, particularly on how she confronted corruption in the judiciary frontally.

    Justice Oke, in her response, thanked the judges, magistrates and staff of the judiciary for their love and support for all the reforms initiated and making her tenure a success.

    “I want to appeal to you to continue in your support of our policies which are all geared towards delivering speedy and efficient justice to the good people of Lagos State, who we serve,” she said.

  • Six men break into judge’s home, steal N30m jewellery’

    Six men, who allegedly broke into the house of a judge of the Lagos State Judiciary, Justice Mariam Emeya, and stole jewellery worth N30million, were on Wednesday brought before an Igbosere Magistrates’ Court, Lagos.

    Mujaudu Alawiye, 59, Achrigbo Sunday, 20, Emmanuel Frank, 23, Akintunde Jude, 28, Adeniji Bashir, 18 and Boniface Nneji, 52 are facing a four-count charge, of conspiracy, breaking and entering, and stealing preferred against them by the police.

    Prosecuting Inspector Edward Abiodun told Magistrate O.O Oshin that the defendants committed the offence at about noon on May 28, at Ajah, Lagos.

    Read Also: Cook steals ex-lawmaker’s N8m Jewellery

    Abiodun alleged that the defendants burgled the judge’s home and carted away several pieces of jewellery.

    The court heard that the stolen items include: four sets of gold bangles, one set of small bangles, one big gold chain, one small gold chain, four gold rings, three sets of gold jewellery, four sets of gold earrings, four sets of gold pendants, two gold hand chains, all valued at N30million, property of the judge.

    Each defendant pleaded not guilty.

    Magistrate  Mrs O.O Oshin granted the first and sixth defendants bail, in the sum of N100,000 each and the second, third, fourth and fifth defendants N300,000 bail each, with two sureties each in the like sum, among other conditions.

    The case continues on July 3.

  • Lagos scores ‘first’ with restorative justice system

    The Lagos State Judiciary has launched the Practice Direction on Restorative Justice to herald its adoption of the Restorative Justice System.

    The state’s Chief Judge, Justice Opeyemi Oke, said the state had thus pioneered, “for the first time in Nigeria, a new regime and an institutional framework for Restorative Justice.”

    Justice Oke spoke at a training to equip magistrates with knowledge and skills on application of the system in their courts.

    Restorative Justice sometimes called ‘reparative Justice’ is a process whereby all parties at stake in a particular offence come together to resolve collectively how to deal with the aftermath of the offence and its implications for the future.

    Justice Oke noted that the adoption of restorative justice approach was based on the need to ensure that offenders are not just punished but also reintegrated and restored to society.

    According to her, the Nigerian judicial system is awash with “countless cases where defendants are arrested for minor offences – burglary, wandering, two fighting and so on; they are locked up in our prisons for the flimsiest reasons and join the teeming population awaiting trial.

    “In fact the Awaiting trial inmates account for more than 75 per cent of the inmates in our prisons today.

    “They are in our prisons with hardened criminals and by the time they come out they have been initiated into a life of crime and are ready to spread terror, death and destruction in their post-prison escapades.”

    The introduction of Restorative Justice at the Magistrates Courts level system, the Chief Judge noted, has the potential to change “that narrative in Lagos State…

    “This will ensure that restorative justice outcomes are applied to many minor offences.”

    Justice Oke explained that the system would be officially launched soon along with the establishment of restorative justice centres in the seven magisterial districts in the state.

    She said: “Lagos State Judiciary, under this administration, has decided to take the bull by the horn and start this project and is set to roll out restorative justice centres in the seven magisterial districts of Lagos State.

    Meanwhile, Chief Judge has also unveiled the Project Plaque of the Lagos Commercial Court at Tapa, Lagos Island.

    Justice Oke said the objective of constructing the Commercial Court, which is expected to be completed in 24 months, is to fast-track decisions on commercial disputes.

    Speaking at the unveiling, she added: “Once it is ready, it will bring about speedy dispensation of Justice in Lagos State.

    “I am full of thanks for the commitment and dedication of the Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, the Honourable Attorney-General of Lagos State, Mr. Adeniji Kareem SAN, the Administrative Staff of the Lagos State Judiciary and everyone who played a significant role in achieving this vision of the administration.”

  • Probate registry goes digital

    The Lagos State Judiciary has created an e-probate platform for easier and faster processing of Letters of Administration/Grant of Probate.

    In a statement yesterday, the Chief Registrar, Mrs. Taiwo Olatokun, said the e-probate could be accessed at probate.lagosjudiciary.gov.ng

    She said suggestions and complaints about the e-probate should be forwarded to:feedback@probate.lagosjudiciary.gov.ng

     

  • Help inmates pay fines to decongest prisons – controller urges

    Help inmates pay fines to decongest prisons – controller urges

    Lagos State Controller of Prisons, Mr Tunde Ladipo, on Sunday called on well-meaning individuals and groups to assist inmates in paying fines imposed on them to decongest prisons.

    Ladipo made the appeal in an interview in Lagos.

    He said that a number of inmates were still in prison for inability to pay fines.

    Ladipo urged that prison congestion should be the concern of all stakeholders in the interest of the society.

    The controller appealed to stakeholders to come together and fashion out more ways to reduce congestion in the country’s prisons.

    He said that the command was holding meetings with the Lagos State Judiciary and some other stakeholders to ensure speedy trial of inmates,” Ladipo said.

    He said that the Federal Government was concerned about prison congestion and was making efforts to address it.

    According to the controller, the recently launched plea bargain option will also help to decongest prisons.

    “We are having meetings with stakeholders, for example, Lagos State Judiciary, because it is of utmost concern,’’ Ladipo said.

    He advised officers and men of the Nigeria Prisons Service to be God-fearing and dedicated.

    “They have to be focused; they need to have the fear of God because our work is service to humanity,” he said.

    NAN

  • Lagos judiciary denies alleged theft of N47m judgement sum

    Lagos judiciary denies alleged theft of N47m judgement sum

    The Lagos State Judiciary has risen in stout defence of its judge, Justice Ganiyu Safari alleged to have converted a judgement sum of N47 million to personal use.

    It described as total falsehood the alleged theft of N47 million judgement sum from the state judiciary, as published by two online media, Gavel International and Sahara Reporters.

    The rebuttal titled; “The position of the Lagos State Judiciary on the False On-Line Publication on an alleged theft of N47m Judgement sum by a judge of the Lagos State Judiciary” was contained in a statement signed by Assistant Director, Public Affairs, Mrs. Mrs. Grace Alo.

    The statement said both publications are not only false but calculated to tarnish the image of the Judiciary and the Hon. Justice Ganiyu Safari, whose name was therein mentioned.

    The five point statement stated in part: “No petition was forwarded to the Hon. Chief Judge of Lagos State by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) in respect of the alleged Judgment sum.

    “No investigation by the Hon. Chief Judge has shown that any money was diverted from the Chief Registrar’s account into a private account of the Hon. Judge.

    “The allegation that there is a cover up of the case and that a soft-landing has been given to the Hon. Judge to refund the money is both false and unfounded.

    ” It is irresponsible Journalism for the Gavel international and the Sahara Reporters to report that security fees deposited into the Chief registrar’s account are usually unpaid as  such monies are paid after verification of payment into the designated account. Any complaints or grievances in respect of any unpaid money ought to be directed to the Hon. Chief Judge for investigation.

    “It is also false that security fees are only paid into the Zenith Bank, Oba Akran, Ikeja Branch.

    “As the last hope of the common man, the Lagos State Judiciary remains committed and focused in discharging its statutory duties without fear or favour,” it added.

     

  • ‘How NJC violates its guidelines on judges’ appointment’

    ‘How NJC violates its guidelines on judges’ appointment’

    The National Judicial Council (NJC) has been accused of violating its guidelines for appointment of high court judges.

    Among others, the NJC Judicial Appointment Guidelines 2014 provides that available vacancies be published before any judge is appointed.

    A human rights group, the Access to Justice (A2J), Monday said the Guidelines were not complied with in the appointment of three new judges of the Lagos State High Court.

    “Our research showed that the Lagos State Judicial Service Commission failed to publicise the the judicial vacancies on notice boards of both the High Courts and Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) branches, and on its website.

    “There was no call or public notice whatsoever requesting an expression of interest from suitable candidates on the Lagos State Judiciary’s website, on the notice boards of high court divisions, or on the notice boards of the NBA branches,” the group said.

    It added that there was no letter to NBA chairmen calling for candidates’ nomination, nor were the names of those nominated sent to NBA for comments as provided in the Guidelines.

    “Access to Justice now invites the NJC to independently investigate claims suggesting that the Guidelines were flouted in the recruitment of new judges of the Lagos State High Court, and insists on the observance of due diligence in future judicial appointments at both state and Federal levels,” the group said.

    It urged NJC to be a bit more thorough to ensure that the standards it set are met and that it does not shoot itself in the foot.

    A2J also faulted the continued detention of leader of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN), Ibrahim El-Zakzaky and his wife.

    It said by continuing to detain them despite court orders that they should be released, the Federal Government “is endangering democracy and the rule of law”.

    The group also faulted the forced eviction of residents of some parts of Lagos, such as those of the waterfront communities of Otodo-Gbame.

    “In accordance with the principles of pubic international law, the government is required to give adequate notice prior to the demolition of any building, ensure that due compensation is paid to affected persons, and safeguard the resettlement of evicted persons. These were not met,” it said.