The Lagos State Government and stakeholders in the justice sector have called for faster, fairer and more accessible justice as the 2026/2027 Legal Year commenced in the state.
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The calls were made on Monday at separate New Legal Year services held at the Lagos Central Mosque and at the Cathedral Church, Lagos, attended by judicial officers, lawyers, government officials, religious leaders and other stakeholders.
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, urged the judiciary to remain independent and to preserve its integrity beyond individuals, governments and political cycles.
In a message delivered by the Secretary to the State Government, Mrs. Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, the governor said the final phase of his tenure offered an opportunity to reflect not only on its achievements but also on the institutions it would leave behind.
“Administrations will come and go. Judges will be appointed and retire. Office holders will change, and political seasons will pass. But the institution of justice must endure beyond personalities, governments and political cycles,” he said.
He said the integrity of the judiciary must remain protected and its independence unwavering, and that its commitment to truth and fairness must remain beyond compromise.
According to him, the legacy of his administration should not be measured only by roads, infrastructure and completed projects, but also by the strength of institutions, public confidence, and the systems established for future generations.
“Institutions that serve our people must outlive the individuals who occupy public office,” he said.
The governor said the judiciary plays a critical role in building a thriving society by ensuring that citizens’ rights are protected, disputes fairly resolved, contracts respected and the rule of law maintained.
He added that an effective justice system has implications well beyond the courtroom, particularly for business, investment, economic activity and public confidence in government.
He assured the judiciary that the state government would continue, within the limits of its constitutional responsibilities, to support efforts aimed at improving access to justice, strengthening the administration of justice, and making the system more responsive to residents.
He stressed, however, that infrastructure, technology and institutional reform alone cannot guarantee an effective justice system, saying its ultimate strength rests on those who administer it.
Representing the Deputy Governor, Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, said an effective justice system is essential to sustaining the rule of law, protecting citizens’ rights and supporting the economic development of the state.
He said the government would continue to support the judiciary through investment in justice-sector infrastructure, professional development, and measures aimed at expanding access to justice.
The Attorney-General identified delay in the disposal of cases as a major challenge requiring sustained attention, and stressed that responsibility for an efficient justice system extends beyond the judiciary to the executive, the legislature, the legal profession and the public.
According to him, justice-sector reforms must ultimately protect rights, resolve disputes efficiently, and strengthen public confidence in the justice system.
The Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mr. Mudashiru Obasa, called for greater public understanding of the law, including the use of indigenous languages to explain legal processes to citizens.
He said the judiciary remains critical to the stability and development of society, and urged the arms of government to work together to make justice processes more transparent and comprehensible to the public.
The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, pledged that judges and magistrates would continue to uphold the rule of law and discharge their responsibilities with diligence.
He urged lawyers and members of the public with complaints against judicial officers to use the appropriate procedures, while encouraging constructive criticism capable of contributing to improvements in the justice system.
He also called for stronger cooperation between the Bench and the Bar, stressing that both remain key participants in the administration of justice.
At the Lagos Central Mosque, the Chief Imam of Lagos, Sheikh Sulaiman Abu-Nolla, urged judges, magistrates, lawyers and public officials to make justice, fairness and accountability the foundation of their responsibilities.
Delivering a lecture at the mosque, Professor Saheed Timehin cautioned against selective justice, stressing that the law must apply equally regardless of wealth, influence, religion or social status. He said the true test of justice lies in how people who can offer no personal benefit are treated.
At the Cathedral Church, the Bishop of the Diocese of Lagos West, Anglican Communion, the Right Reverend Dr. James Odedeji, urged judges and lawyers to remain faithful to the responsibilities entrusted to them.
Preaching on the theme “Faithfulness,” with 1 Corinthians 4:2 as his text, the bishop described judicial offices, legal briefs and the confidence of clients as trusts that must be handled with integrity.
He warned that professional success achieved at the expense of conscience cannot amount to true success, and urged legal practitioners to combine professional competence with sound character.
He also called for impartial justice, stressing that its administration should not be influenced by wealth, social status or personal connections.
The services marked the commencement of the 2026/2027 Legal Year in Lagos, with stakeholders renewing calls for a justice system that is timely, accessible, transparent, fair and responsive to the needs of citizens.
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