The Lagos State Government, Wednesday, took the state aback after it handed over 51 Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and eight houses to the newly appointed judges of the state high court.
The State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, at the handover ceremony held at the high court, Ikeja, said it was his administration’s aim to ensure that the judiciary has all it takes to seamlessly perform its duties as the bastion of the common man.
According to the governor, efforts to build a strong and formidable judiciary in the state were on course.
With this, he pledged that no arm of government in the state would be deprived of requisite tools to perform its statutory duties, as he assured that his administration would continue to support the judiciary and raise the bar of legal practice in line with global standards.
“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,” says Sanwo-Olu.
He commended their commitment. “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, Sanwo-Olu noted, we have devised a thorough process to overhaul our judiciary in such a way that justice is dispensed without fear or favour.
The governor said the state government would continue to provide the necessary training and infrastructure required to ensure that the integrity of the judiciary was not eroded.
While disclosing that he had already approved a complete renovation of decrepit courtrooms, Sanwo-Olu highlighted that the support being extended towards the judiciary must be reciprocated.
He, therefore, charged the judicial officers to deepen the rule of law and accelerate justice administration without compromising its independence.
His words, “I urge members of the judiciary to co-operate with the executive arm and show the highest form of dedication to your statutory duties.”
“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.”
Reacting to the gesture, the Chief Judge of the State, Kazeem Alogba, 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 the 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.
The CJ noted that it is the first time a governor gave out vehicles to judges and accompanied the gesture with gift of houses.
He commended, “It takes a man with a large heart to be committed to satisfying the needs of an arm of government he is not leading.”
