TheCable

The Lagos government, on Wednesday, handed over 51 Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and eight houses to judges of the state high court.

Last October, the governor gave out 50 new vehicles to members of the state’s judiciary to aid their duties.

Speaking at the handover ceremony at the high court, Ikeja, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor, said efforts to build a strong and formidable judiciary in the state were on course.

Sanwo-Olu said no arm of government in the state would be deprived of requisite tools to perform its statutory duties, and that his administration would continue to support the judiciary and raise the bar of legal practice in line with global standards.

He reassured members of the judiciary that the executive, under his leadership, would be a dependable partner.

“In handing over these 51 vehicles to our judges and eight houses to the newly appointed judges of the state high court, we are ensuring that our judiciary has all it takes to seamlessly perform its duties as the bastion of the common man,” Sanwo-Olu said.

“We cherish the work you do; we thank you for justifying the confidence reposed in you; we appreciate you for being independent umpires even when the stakes are high.

“The judiciary is the bedrock of our society, and our judges need all the support they can get to effectively perform their duties.

“In line with this, we have devised a thorough process to overhaul our judiciary in such a way that justice is dispensed without fear or favour.”

Sanwo-Olu said the state goverment would continue to provide the necessary training and infrastructure required to ensure that the integrity of the judiciary was not eroded.

The governor added that he had already approved a complete renovation of decrepit courtrooms.

He said the support being extended towards the judiciary must be reciprocated, charging the judicial officers to deepen the rule of law and accelerate justice administration without compromising its independence.

“I urge members of the judiciary to co-operate with the executive arm and show the highest form of dedication to your statutory duties,” he said.

“In maintaining your independence, our judges must not forget that their contribution is pertinent to the achievement of our administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S. agenda.”

Kazeem Alogba, chief judge of Lagos, described the event as “double grace” for members of the judicial arm in the state.

Alogba said the magnanimity of the Sanwo-Olu-led executive was unprecedented in the records of Lagos’ judiciary.

“The kind of support which the judiciary has received from the government of Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu is unprecedented and today’s event is historic because it is a double grace for our members,” he said.

“It is the first time a governor will be giving out vehicles to judges and accompanying the gesture with gift of houses.

“It takes a man with a large heart to be committed to satisfying the needs of an arm of government he is not leading.

“Since the inception of his administration, Mr Governor has been swift in responding to our requests and this gesture shows he is committed to improving the administration of justice in Lagos.”