Lagos CJ groans under judicial duties

Kunle Awosiyan, Lagos - 12.05.2008

The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Ade Alabi, has urged the state government to appoint five retired judges to supervise the courts in the state, saying that the work was too much for him alone to do.

He made this request during the submission of report on Magistracy and Justice Sector Reform sector to the state governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, at the weekend.

He said it had been a great task for him to supervise daily the 114 magistrate courts in the state alone, adding that “to go from one court to another everyday has been a great task. I think it will be better if government can appoint a minimum of five retired judges to supervise all the courts in the state.”

He said he had earlier sold the idea to former Governor Bola Tinubu, who he said agreed to create a supervisory system to adequately run the courts but since then, nothing had been done.

Meanwhile the chairman of the committee, Mr. Fola Arthur-Worrey, has said the report dealt with supervisors, court restructuring and administration.

According to him, there was the need for the government to reform such areas like human capacity, court administration, infrastructure, courts rules and procedures to meet the modern standard.

“We are looking at improving the condition of service in the court and the reform of law, aiming at reducing various formalities being experienced at the courts at present. This will reduce the number of people in remand that are waiting for courts to rescue them,” he said.

Responding, Fashola said that he would present the report at the State Executive Council for deliberation.