Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Wednesday, gave out over 51 Sports Utility Vehicles (SUVs) and eight houses to judges in the state’s high court.
This is coming barely one year after he gifted members of the state’s judiciary with 50 cars.
Speaking at the handover ceremony at the high court in Ikeja, Sanwo-Olu noted that efforts to build a strong and formidable judiciary in the state were on course.
He said no arm of government in the state would be deprived of the necessary tools to perform its expected duties, adding that his administration would continue to support the judiciary.
The governor stated: “In handing over these 51 vehicles to our judges and eight houses to the newly appointed judges of the state high court, we are ensuring that our judiciary has all it takes to seamlessly perform its duties as the bastion of the common man.
“We cherish the work you do; we thank you for justifying the confidence reposed in you; we appreciate you for being independent umpires even when the stakes are high.
“The judiciary is the bedrock of our society, and our judges need all the support they can get to effectively perform their duties.
“In line with this, we have devised a thorough process to overhaul our judiciary in such a way that justice is dispensed without fear or favour.”
Sanwo-Olu said the state goverment would continue to provide the necessary training and infrastructure required to ensure that the integrity of the judiciary was not eroded.
The governor added that he had already approved a complete renovation of rundown courtrooms.
He charged judicial officers in the state to reciprocate the support from the government by deepening the rule of law and accelerating administration justice without compromising its independence.
“I urge members of the judiciary to co-operate with the executive arm and show the highest form of dedication to your statutory duties.
READ ALSO: 7 Schools Children, 16 Others Perish In Kogi Fuel Tanker Fire
“In maintaining your independence, our judges must not forget that their contribution is pertinent to the achievement of our administration’s T.H.E.M.E.S. agenda,” the governor stressed.
Responding, the chief judge of Lagos, Justice Kazeem Alogba, described the event as “double grace” for members of the judicial arm in the state.
He said the magnanimity of the Sanwo-Olu-led executive was second to none in the records of Lagos’ judiciary.
“The kind of support which the judiciary has received from the government of Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu is unprecedented and today’s event is historic because it is a double grace for our members.
“It is the first time a governor will be giving out vehicles to judges and accompanying the gesture with gift of houses.
“It takes a man with a large heart to be committed to satisfying the needs of an arm of government he is not leading.
