Sanwo-Olu Swears in Alogba as Acting Chief Judge, Promises to Partner with FG, Judiciary, to Decongest Prisons
Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said that his administration will work with the State Judiciary and the Federal Government, to find a lasting solution to prison congestion in the State.
The Governor, who stated this last Thursday while swearing in Justice Kazeem Alogba as the new Acting Chief Judge of Lagos State, said the issue of prison congestion has become a major challenge to the State's justice system.
According to Sanwo-Olu, the current situation where over 70 percent of inmates in prisons constitute awaiting trial inmates, is not acceptable as it is not a reflection of an efficient justice delivery system.
“We will also not hesitate to do whatever is required to sustain the ongoing reform in the judicial sector, so the desired result of ensuring that the wheel of justice rolls as fast as it could, will be achieved", he added.
The Governor further stated that, his administration would embark on the review of the State's Judiciary, noting that the three arms of government must form a synergy, for the development of the State. He also promised to continue with judicial reforms, in the State.
‘‘We are all partners, in progress. We must continue to work together, to deliver the good for the teeming Lagos populace. This is what governance is all about'', Sanwo-Olu said.
While congratulating the acting Chief Judge, Governor Sanwo-Olu expressed confidence in his capacity to continue on the path of progress that has been created in the State Judiciary, since the beginning of the fourth republic.
''I have absolute confidence in your ability and capacity to sustain and improve on the enviable reputation which the Lagos State Judiciary has built for itself over the years, particularly since 1999 under the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
“During the tenure of that administration, a solid foundation was laid through the introduction and implementation of critical reforms and initiatives, that are aimed at building a judicial system that is efficient, reliable and courageous to uphold the fundamental principles and ideals of equity, fairness, natural justice and the rule of law”, he stated.
Justice Alogba, while thanking the Governor for the honour, promised to exercise the powers of his office conscientiously, for the good of the common man and the furtherance of the administration of justice in Lagos State.
The new Acting Chief Judge suggested that, traffic and environmental offenders should, henceforth, serve their sentences at the point where the offences are committed.
He said no one likes to wear a toga of an exconvict, so community service or some other forms of punishment should be handed to offenders, at the point of contravention.
Justice Alogba also promised speedy and effective dispensation of justice, zero tolerance for corruption and corrupt tendencies, rigorous, adequate and continuous training of judicial staff, as well as improvement on the use of ICT for the delivery of justice.
We will pursue the use of information communication technology, and dwell on staff welfare. We pledge our support for the new administration”, Alogba said.
Justice Alogba’s appointment, is in accordance with Section 271 (1) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
He was appointed in that capacity, pending the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC), and subsequent confirmation by the State House of Assembly.
Also, his appointment as Acting Chief Judge, is consequent upon the need to prevent a vacuum in the State Judiciary, given the retirement of the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Opeyemi Oke.
Prior to his appointment, Justice Alogba was the most senior of the 58 Justices in the State Judiciary, next to the immediate past Chief Judge, and had chaired the Committee on the Review of the High Court Civil Procedure Rules, which culminated in the new High Court of Lagos (Civil Procedure) Rules of 2019, that came into force on January 31, 2019.