The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba, on Thursday inaugurated a new court division in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, and described it as a vital step in bringing justice closer to the people, while removing the strain of navigating Lagos challenging traffic, security, and economic realities in accessing justice.
He emphasized the significance of decentralizing judicial services, pointing out that the practice of having 24 to 25 courtrooms in a single location often creates undue hardship for litigants and lawyers who must travel long distances, sometimes 10 to 15 kilometres in unpredictable Lagos traffic.
Sighting an example of a man having a court sitting at 9 am but not arriving till 9:30 am, most likely causing him to miss his case and the Magistrate issuing a bench warrant.
Justice Alogba further praised the foresight of Amuwo Odofin leaders for identifying the need for a High Court division within the community, revealing that the idea aligned with the judiciary’s ongoing plan to bridge the gap between court coverage in Apapa and Badagry.
The Chief Judge also made a call for integrity at the bar, urging lawyers to resist filing frivolous applications and instead advise their clients with honesty and professionalism.
Earlier in his remarks, Chairman of the LG, Valentine Buraimoh, lauded the project as a milestone for the community, noting its potential to improve access to justice, generate employment, and enhance civic trust. He further pledged continued support for initiatives that improve local governance and judicial efficiency.
The Chairman of the Amuwo Odofin Lawyers’ Forum, Chris Aghaonu, also extended heartfelt appreciation to the Chief Judge and Lagos State Judiciary for establishing Magistrate and High Courts in the area, affirming that it marks a new dawn for grassroots justice delivery.
The event was attended by senior members of the judiciary, government officials, and members of the Nigerian Bar Association, all of whom commended the project as a timely and impactful intervention in legal infrastructure development.