Governor Akinwunmi Ambode has assured Lagosians that his administration will not abandon the judicial reforms initiated by his predecessor, former Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola.
Ambode who spoke at the 2015/2016 Legal Year Dinner held at the Nigeria Law School, Victoria Island emphasised the importance of the importance of the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.
He said “It was these reforms that gave birth to the Office of Public Defender, Citizens Mediation Centre, Public Advisory Centre, the Multi Door Court House System, which offers an alternative and effective dispute resolution mechanism, the construction of more Courts as well as the appointment of more Magistrates and Judges. These initiatives have expanded the frontier of justice delivery which has deepened its relevance as the last hope of the common man”.
“I am committed to ensuring that this administration continues with these reforms. We will work with the judiciary to move our justice sector to a higher level. The reforms process is not a finished business, it is a work in progress.
“It is therefore imperative that as we address the issue of infrastructural deficiency to ease the process and reduce cost of doing business, the issues of rule of law and timely dispensation of justice must also be given priority.”
Chief Judge of Lagos, Justice Funmilayo Atilade also observed that the governor has shown a strong interest in the growth of the judiciary.
She said “Truly, he has within the short period of his administration demonstrated strong interest and concern in the growth of the Judiciary and in the welfare of Judicial Officers, Magistrates and all personnel the Lagos State Judiciary.”