The traditional ruler of the Otumara community in Lagos Mainland of Lagos State, High Chief Kehinde Kalejaiye, has called on stakeholders in the judicial sector to promote access to prompt dispensation of justice and safeguard the rule of law.
He opined that with the delayed justice system in the state, many Nigerians have lost hope in the justice system thereby refraining from seeking redress in the court of law for any legal injury.
While expressing dissatisfaction over the state justice system, he stated that it gives room for the manipulation of judges and the judicial process which eventually leads to the denial of justice.
At a 2-day Justice Reform Summit held recently in Lagos, Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Lawal Pedro, SAN, expressed his desire for 18months trial period for civil cases from the date of commencement of trial and six months in cases of simple recovery of debt and three months in cases of recovery of arrears of rents and possession of premises.
Reacting, Kalejaiye applauded the stance of the State Attorney General while also calling on the government to set machinery in motion for quick dispensation of justice.
Relating his experience in a civil case at a Lagos High Court, Kalejaiye said his case has been on trial for six years while another case bordering on land dispute has been on trial since 1994
He said, “I must commend the moves by the Lagos State Government towards the reform of the State justice sector. This is necessary because many litigants have fallen victim to miscarriage and perversion of justice. As the saying goes, justice delayed is justice denied, the reform is crucial to safeguard the rule of law.
“I have a civil case at a Lagos High Court since 2018 and we have just been having an adjournment over an adjournment between then and now. There is also another civil matter over a land dispute involving an old man. The matter has been on for almost 30 years and it has remained unresolved to date.”
He however appealed to the Lagos State Government and the State Attorney General to implement every letter of the reforms to promote quick access to justice.
He said, “For many Nigerians, seeking redress in a court of law is a herculean task. They see it as a waste of time and resources. And this has to do with the delayed justice system and lack of trust and hope in the judiciary as the hope of the common man.
“I implore the government to work on all impediment that contributes to the delay in the dispensation of justice.”
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