Let me begin by thanking Almighty God for sparing our lives to witness yet another opening of the New Legal year. I congratulate the Lagos State Judiciary under the leadership of My lord, Hon. Justice Opeyemi Oke, Chief Judge of Lagos State for the success, hardwork, dedication, and co-operation in the past few years.
One can safely assume from the radiant looks of My Lords and Your Honours that you have all had restful holidays and are well energised for the year ahead.
As you begin another Judicial Year, I assure you of our continued support and partnership. Our Administration recognises the separate but interwoven roles of the three arms of government and part of our own commitment to a lawful and orderly society is to respect the limits of those constitutionally defined roles. This we have always done.
One of the cardinal policies of our government has been the enthronement of law and order. Today, I stand a happy man knowing we delivered on those promises.
The increased workload and number of cases in our courts necessitated the appointment of more Judges and Magistrates as well as the construction of more court houses and renovation of existing courts to befit our judiciary. This had to be complemented by the improved welfare of our Judges and Magistrates.
The introduction of the Lagos State DNA & Forensic Centre further enhanced the quality of justice delivery in the State and we have also developed policies and legislations that will aid speedy dispensation of justice.
As our State remains the cynosure of excellence and the economic hub of Africa, our judiciary must continue to be in the forefront of judicial reforms to meet the expectation of the modern day justice sector. My Lords, we bear the responsibility of 24 million people who look up to you and I to protect them with the law. Our justice system must remain sound, fair and effective.
The plague of delay in justice delivery is still of major concern. All stakeholders in the sector must ensure that the issue of delay is tackled vigorously by creating innovative models for achieving speedy and efficient justice delivery system which can be replicated more broadly across the country.
The expectations of the citizenry is huge and requires all stakeholders to work continuously to enhance confidence in the legal system, promote the rule of law, guarantee protection of lives and properties.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen, let me use this opportunity to acknowledge and thank the Clergy, our Fathers in the Lord and our Royal Fathers, for their prayers and guidance. I once again thank the judiciary for their partnership, co-operation and support, through which tremendous progress has been made in the State.
My lord the Chief Judge, my lords the honorable judges of the High Court of Lagos State and other judges here present, the Magistracy, members of the inner and outer bar, ladies and gentlemen, I congratulate you all on the successful commencement of the new legal year and I wish you fruitful celebrations.
Itesiwaju Ipinle eko, lo je wa logun