The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba, on Thursday inaugurated a new court division in Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area, describing it as a vital step in bringing justice closer to the people and alleviating the strain of navigating Lagos’ challenging traffic, security, and economic realities.
Speaking at the ceremony, Justice Alogba 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 kilometers in unpredictable Lagos traffic.
“Imagine a man who leaves home by 6:30 am for a 9 am court sitting but doesn’t arrive until 9:30 am. In criminal matters, he could miss his case, and the magistrate may issue a bench warrant. That’s how justice can elude the common man,” the Chief Judge noted. “This new facility addresses that very real, pedestrian-level injustice.”
He further praised the foresight of Amuwo Odofin leaders, especially the Chairman of the Local Government, Mr. Valentine Buraimoh, and the local bar association, for identifying the need for a High Court division within the community.
Alogba revealed that the idea aligned seamlessly with the judiciary’s ongoing plan to bridge the gap between court coverage in Apapa and Badagry.
“This facility gives us an immediate respite. It is a beginning point for developing a proper High Court edifice for this area. It’s a demonstration of how all things work together when driven by sincere purpose,” he added.
Justice Alogba also issued a call for integrity at the bar, urging lawyers to resist filing frivolous applications and instead advise their clients with honesty and professionalism.
“We can no longer afford to lose our integrity. Clients must stop seeing the court as a place to gamble,” he said. “When you offer sound legal advice, clients respect you more and will even be willing to pay higher fees because they trust your judgment.”
Earlier in his remarks, Chairman 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.
“As we inaugurate this state-of-the-art judicial facility, I am confident that it will serve as a bastion of fairness, equity, and peace in Amuwo-Odofin,” Buraimoh declared. “It will reduce the burden our residents face in seeking justice and bring the rule of law closer to home.”
He further pledged continued support for initiatives that improve local governance and judicial efficiency, stating, “May this court stand as a symbol of our collective effort to foster growth, justice, and unity.”
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 court 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.
