By Adedapo Adesanya
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has said his government is moving to digitalise court proceedings in line with global standards by ensuring cutting edge technology for the recording of activities at the Igbosere Court Complex being rebuilt.
Mr Sanwo-Olu gave the assurance on Monday in a goodwill message to the Lagos Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) on the occasion of its 2022 Law Week at the Civic Centre, Lagos.
Speaking at the 2022 NBA Lagos Branch Law Week themed Democracy and Legal Order Shaping the Future, he said such technology will reduce the long handwritten proceedings techniques by judges.
Represented by Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo, he congratulated the NBA branch for organising the week.
“It is with delight that I felicitate with the executive committee and entire members of the NBA Lagos Branch on the auspicious occasion of the branch’s 2022 Law Week which commenced on Friday, March 18.
“I am, therefore, excited to join members of the premier branch in observing the law week with the apt theme, Democracy and Legal Order Shaping the Future,” he said.
Mr Sanwo-Olu said that the state government had dedicated itself to the actualisation of agenda focused on growth and development in all sectors.
“We believe that this is the only way to justify our election,” he said.
He noted that the global economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic impacted much on the private and public sectors, saying there was a need for citizens to join hands to save the country from the effects of the pandemic, adding that citizens had a responsibility to pursue ideas that would define humanity.
“Rest assured also that, on our part, the government is committed to enhancing the justice delivery system.
“This administration has supported activities revolving around the justice delivery system,” he said.
On the Igbosere Court Complex burnt by hoodlums that hijacked the October 2020 EndSARS protest, he said that the state government provided alternative courtrooms at Osborne, noting that the government had initiated the Rebuilding Lagos Trust Fund.
“This is an independent trust fund chaired by a non-state personality.
“This fund essentially involves the rebuilding of the Igbosere courts. The process has started, the court building has been demolished.
“The contract is split into two: the first phase is 12 months and the second phase is about 24 months.
“Before the destruction, we had 18 courtrooms at Igbosere, but in the new building which is going to be 10 floors, we are going to have 40 courtrooms,” he said.
He said that there would also be a 700-seat capacity hall for valedictory sessions and other events.
According to him, the new Igbosere Court Complex is a state-of-the-art building and will have cutting edge technology that will eliminate long handwriting by judges.
“The court is going to have about 250 parking spaces for lawyers and anybody who uses the court.
“This is a testament of our unflinching commitment to access to justice in recognition of the role of the judiciary in enhancing democracy.
“Law is a fulcrum on which democratic principles and practices are accentuated.
“It requires a functional judiciary, which will give the interpretation of the law and dispense justice,” Mr Sanwo-Olu stated.
