Creation Of Two State High Court Divisions, Others, Major Achievement – Lagos CJ

According to her, the creation of the Economic/Financial Crimes Division and Sexual Offences and Domestic Violence Division marks for her major achievement that would move the state judiciary forward in the coming years. Justice Oke gave this indication in Lagos on Tuesday at an event to mark the end of the year 2018. She reeled off other accomplishments in the outgoing year to include the digitalisation of the private Registries in the state judiciary as well as the growth of the bench which has seen increase in the number of judges in the State to 120. She added that the year has also witnessed the appointment of Supervisory Judges for Magistrates in order to enhance efficiency and performance in the magistrates’ courts system. Others are the creation of Small Claims Court and the Practice Direction thereto; her embarking on a series of visits to the prison in order to decongest them, as well as her fight against corruption in Lagos State Judiciary, which has seen disciplinary actions being taken against erring staff of the Sheriff Department, Probate Registry, Cash Office and Administrative staff. She said, “Very guardedly, we have been running with our vision and our steadfastness has birthed laudable achievements to the glory of God and the advancement of the Lagos State Judiciary. “To ensure that our prison is adequately decongested, we embarked on series of prison visits at the various prisons in Lagos State. “The digitalisation of the private Registries in Lagos Judiciary as well as facilitation of the amendment of the High Court which has increased the number of judges for Lagos State to 120. “Appointment of Supervisory Judges for the Magistrates for efficiency and better performance, in line with the Commitment Statement of this administration. “The Small Claims Court Practice Direction is being translated into different local languages namely: Pidgin English, Yoruba, Egun, Hausa and Ibo. Honourable Judges are currently working on this.” Oke noted however that these achievements could not have been possible but for the support of the Lagos State government generally as well as the state justice department particularly, led by Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and Adeniji Kazeem (SAN), the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, respectively. “I will also like to express my profound gratitude to our indefatigable Governor, His Excellency, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, for his unwavering backing,” she said. “He is very passionate about the smooth operation of the Judiciary and does not take any issue connected with or affecting the Judiciary with levity. In fact, he regards the Judiciary as a core pride of his administration. “My heartfelt appreciation also goes to my dear brother, the Hon. Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Adeniji Kazeem. He has also been very helpful in the achievement of our core projects and never complains even when I tirelessly call on him for follow up.”]]>