Lagos committed to building efficient justice system — Hazmat

Lagos State Deputy Governor, Dr. Kadir Obafemi Hamzat, on Wednesday reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to building a more responsive, inclusive, and efficient justice system for the benefit of all Lagosians, regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity.

The deputy governor expressed this commitment while declaring open a two-day stakeholders’ meeting on the judicial system themed “The Strategic Stakeholders Meeting,” held at the Radisson Blu Hotel, GRA, Ikeja.

The gathering was convened amidst concerns about delays in justice delivery in Lagos State and the need for greater synergy, transparency, and cooperation among stakeholders in the judicial system.

Hamzat lauded the meeting, describing it as important and timely, and commended the Ministry for organizing the program.

He noted the complexity of the justice system, with its multifaceted nature involving various institutions, systems, and individuals, and called on the judiciary to ensure promptness, fairness, impartiality, and accountability in the dispensation of justice.

He further observed the numerous cases in courts requiring urgent decisions, specifically lamenting the delay in the resolution of the rape and murder case involving a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver and a lady, which had been ongoing for over a year.

Hamzat urged participants to critically assess the judicial processes in Lagos and propose lasting solutions to address its shortcomings.

Speaking further, Hamzat opined that the key differences between African countries and developed nations lie in the rule of law, science, and technology. He remarked that it is interesting how the rule of law is increasingly becoming a subset of technology and science.

“These two elements are changing our lives, whether we like it or not. But we must ensure the rule of law functions effectively,” he said.

In addition, the deputy governor highlighted the challenges the country faces in managing land and physical planning laws. He emphasized the need for lawyers and judges to be well-versed in land laws to “protect our lands and ensure proper physical planning for future generations.”

He stressed the importance of sustainability and collaboration with stakeholders, urging legal practitioners to draft laws that will safeguard land from impending threats.

“There is a need for collective action to address the terrestrial threats to our survival, protect our state, and amend our laws, which must be understood by our lawyers and judges,” Hamzat said.

Earlier, in his welcome address, the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, revealed that the meeting stemmed from discussions held during the Lagos Justice Summit earlier in the year. The goal was to provide a unique opportunity for stakeholders to align their efforts toward ensuring seamless service delivery and improved governance across judicial institutions.

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“We are gathered here because we share a common purpose: the pursuit of justice and the well-being of our society. Lagos State remains committed to the rule of law, accountability, and good governance,” Pedro said.

He added that justice delivery is not the responsibility of a single institution; it requires collaborative efforts from all branches of government, law enforcement agencies, regulatory bodies, and the community at large.

Pedro further explained that the meeting would focus on enhancing coordination between law enforcement agencies and the Ministry of Justice in Lagos State, particularly regarding the prosecution of state offenses where security agencies act under the general fiat of the Attorney-General.

He also outlined several areas of concern to be addressed during the two-day meeting, including law enforcement, the administration of criminal justice, stakeholder meetings on chieftaincy matters and local government administration, as well as environmental and physical planning issues.

“In addition to addressing conflicts and delays in judicial processes, this meeting will also explore ways to reduce the number of government litigations in court, ensuring that the justice system is not further burdened with avoidable cases,” Pedro stated.

He concluded by noting that the meeting would include a question-and-answer session to allow for open discussions on issues affecting both the government and the people.