Lagos State Judiciary

Last updated

The Lagos State Judiciary is one of the three co-equal branches of the Lagos State Government organized under the Constitution of Nigeria and laws of Lagos State. [1] [2] The Chief Judges are appointed by the State Governor with the consent of the House of Assembly. [3]

Contents

Courts

The Lagos State courts comprises three levels of courts. The high court is the court of last resort before the Supreme Court of Nigeria. [4] It is generally an appellate court that operates under discretionary review, meaning that the Court can choose which cases to hear, by granting of writs of certiorari. [5] Other levels of court include the Magistrates and the Customary Court. [6]

Judicial Service Commission

The Lagos State Judiciary also consists of a Judicial Service Commission which statutory duties includes the promotion and appointment of judicial staffs as well as other disciplinary function. [7] The Chief Judge serves as the commission's chairman. [8] Other distinguish members of the Judiciary include the Attorney-General of Lagos State Attorney-General and Lagos State Commissioner for Justice|Commissioner for Justice. [9] The Chief Registrar serves as the head of administration and accountant to the judiciary. [10]

History

The Lagos State Judiciary was the first established Judiciary in Nigeria and formerly known as Colony Province Judiciary. Magistrate court was the first to be established among others. It was established before the High court, that was formerly referred to as the Supreme Court but and its jurisdiction was localized. [11] The establishment of the Magistrate court give birth to the High court, the then Lagos State Supreme Court. [12] When the Supreme Court of Nigeria was founded, the Lagos Supreme Court metamorphosed into High Court of the Federal Territory Lagos with concurrent appointment of John Taylor as the Chief judge. [13]

On 27 May 1967, the same year Lagos State was formed, the High Court and the Magistrate Court of the Federal Territory were merged to form the Lagos State Judiciary under the Leadership of John Taylor, the pioneer Chief Judge of Lagos State. [14] [15] Taylor's tenure elapsed on 7 November 1973, and was succeeded by Justice Joseph Adefarasin following his appointment that took effect on 1 November 1974. [16] He served in that capacity for 9 years until 24 April 1985, when is tenure ended. [17] He was succeeded by Justice Candide Ademola Johnson, appointed on 25 April 1985, a day after Justice Joseph left the office. [18] He spent 4 years in office and Justice Ligali Ayorinde succeeded him on 10 July 1989 [19] .He served in that capacity for 6 years, between July 1989 to April 1995. [20] [21] In August 2014, Oluwafunmilayo Olajumoke Atilade was appointed as the Chief Judge, sworn in by Ade Ipaye, the Attorney General of Lagos State. [22] [23] [24] She was succeeded by Hon Justice Opeyemi Oke appointed, and thereafter sworn in and confirmed on 20 October 2017 by the then Governor of Lagos state, His excellency Mr Akinwunmi Ambode as the 6th female judge of Lagos state. [25] [26]

In accordance with Section 271 (1) and (4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), His Excellency Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos State appointed Honourable Justice Kazeem O. Alogba as the 17th Chief Judge of Lagos State with effect from Tuesday 11 June 2019, in acting capacity, pending the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC) and subsequent confirmation of the Lagos State House of Assembly. [27] [28]

In 2020,during the coronavirus pandemic, the Lagos state judiciary held its first virtual court proceedings led by chief judge Kazeen Alogba. [29]

Restorative justice

Restorative justice is an approach to justice where one of the responses to a crime is to organize a meeting between the victim and the offender, sometimes with representatives of the wider community. The goal is for them to share their experience of what happened, to discuss who was harmed by the crime and how, and to create a consensus for what the offender can do to repair the harm from the offense. This may include a payment of money given from the offender to the victim, apologies and other amends, and other actions to compensate those affected and to prevent the offender from causing future harm.

On 30 November 2021, the Lagos State Government affirmed its commitment to the Restorative System of Justice with a pledge to launch a Restorative Justice Centre. [30] [31]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Judiciary of India</span> National court system

The judiciary of India is the system of courts that interpret and apply the law in the Republic of India. The Constitution of India provides concept for a single and unified judiciary in India. India uses a mixed legal system based majorly on the common law system with civil laws applicable in certain territories in combination with certain religion specific personal laws.

Idris Legbo Kutigi was a Nigerian lawyer and jurist. He was Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Niger State before becoming a high court judge. He joined the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1992 and served as Chief Justice from 30 January 2007 to 30 December 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Governor of Lagos State</span> Head of government of Lagos State in Nigeria

The governor of Lagos State is the head of government of Lagos State in Nigeria. The governor leads the executive branch of the Lagos State Government. This position places its holder in leadership of the state with command authority over the state affairs. The Governor is frequently described to be the number one citizen of the state. Article II of the Constitution of Nigeria vests the executive power of the state in the governor and charges him with the execution of state law, alongside the responsibility of appointing state executive, diplomatic, regulatory, and judicial officers subject to the approval of the Assembly members.

The 7th Lagos State House of Assembly was the legislative branch of the Lagos State Government inaugurated on 4 June 2011. The assembly ran its course till 3 June 2015. The assembly is unicameral with 40 representatives elected from each constituencies of the state. The Speaker of the 7th Legislative Assembly was Rt. Hon Adeyemi Ikuforiji and the Deputy speaker was Hon. Musibau Kolawole Taiwo. The election of representative for the 8th legislative assembly was held on 28 April 2015.

The 6th Lagos State House of Assembly is the legislative branch of the Lagos State Government inaugurated on June 4, 2007 and the assembly ran its course till July 4, 2011. The assembly was unicameral with 41 representatives elected from each constituencies of the state. The Speaker of the 6th Legislative Assembly was Rt. Hon Adeyemi Ikuforiji and the Deputy speaker was Hon. Bola Badmus Olujobi.

Ayotunde Ayomide Phillips is a Nigerian jurist and former Chief Judge of Lagos State.

Oluwafunmilayo Olajumoke "Funmilayo" Atilade, is a Nigerian Jurist and former Chief Judge of Lagos State. She was formerly a judge at the High Court of Lagos State.

The Attorney General of Lagos State also known as Lagos State Commissioner for Justice is the head of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice. The officer's duty is to ensure that "the laws of the state are uniformly and adequately enforced". The Attorney General carries out the responsibilities of the office through the Ministry of Justice. The Attorney General is appointed to a four-years term, with a maximum of two terms, by the Governor subject to the approval of the State House of Assembly. The incumbent Attorney General is Lawal Pedro appointed on 13 September 2023.

The Chief Judge of Lagos State is the head of the Lagos State Judiciary, the judicial branch of the Lagos State Government and the chief judge of the High Court of Lagos State. From 1967 to 1973, the title was called Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The appointment is often made by the Governor. "Section 271(1) of the Constitution provides that ‘The appointment of a person to the office of the Chief Judge of a State shall be made by the Governor of the State on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, subject to the confirmation of the appointment by the House of Assembly of the State,’".

Chief Atanda Fatai Williams, was a Nigerian Jurist and Chief Justice of Nigeria from 1979 to 1983.

Mahmud Mohammed is a Nigerian jurist and Chief Justice of Nigeria from 2014 to 2016.

The National Judicial Council (NJC), is an executive body established by the Federal Government of Nigeria in accordance with the provisions of Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution as amended to protect the Judiciary of Nigeria from the whims and caprices of the Executive.

Chief Samuel Obakayode "Kayode" Eso, CON, CFR was a prominent Nigerian jurist. He served as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

Ayo Salami, is a Nigerian jurist and former President of the Nigerian courts of appeal.

Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo, popularly known as Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, is a Nigerian jurist and Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria who has served as the Chief Justice of Nigeria since 22 August 2024. She was appointed Chief Justice following the retirement of Chief Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

The Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria are members of the Supreme Court of Nigeria composed of the Chief Justice of Nigeria and other justices not more than 21 including the chief justice, appointed by the president on the recommendation of the National Judicial Council, (NJC) and subject to confirmation by the Nigerian Senate. Justices of the Supreme Court must be qualified to practice law in Nigeria, and must have been so qualified for a period not less than fifteen years. Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria have a mandatory retirement age of 70 years.

Lagos State Government is the government of Lagos State, concerned with the administration of the state ministries. The government consists of the executive, legislative and Judiciary. The government is headed by the Governor who is the policy-maker and often assisted by the commissioners and other civil servants of the state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ishaq Bello</span> Nigerian jurist

Justice Ishaq Usman Bello is a Nigerian jurist, the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, and Nigeria's nominated candidate for the 2020 judicial elections of the International Criminal Court based in The Hague, Netherlands. He is better known for his effort towards decongesting several prisons, now known as correctional facilities, in Nigeria.

Kano State Government is the government of Kano State, concerned with the administration of the state ministries. The government consists of the executive, legislative and Judiciary. The government is headed by the Governor who is the policy-maker and often assisted by the Commissioners and other civil servants of the state.

Kazeem Olanrewaju Alogba, is a Nigerian jurist and the present chief judge of Lagos State. He was appointed by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in June 2019 as the 17th chief justice of the state.

References

  1. ↑ "Atilade makes history, succeeds sibling as acting Lagos Chief Judge". Vanguard News. 28 July 2014. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  2. ↑ "Lagos judiciary workers suspend strike – Premium Times Nigeria". Premium Times Nigeria. February 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  3. ↑ "Fashola approves appointment of six new judges for Lagos High Court – Premium Times Nigeria". Premium Times Nigeria. 20 May 2013. Retrieved 17 October 2018.
  4. ↑ Falola, Toyin; Jennings, Christian (2004). Sources and Methods in African History. ISBN   9781580461405 . Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  5. ↑ Mann, Kristin (26 September 2007). Slavery and the Birth of an African City. ISBN   978-0253117083 . Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  6. ↑ "LagosStateJudiciaryInBrief". nigeria-law.org. Archived from the original on 11 May 2013. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  7. ↑ Oshisanya, 'lai Oshitokunbo (2 January 2020). "An Almanac of Contemporary and Continuum of Jurisprudential Restatements (ACCJR Legalgorithms)" . Retrieved 24 April 2015– via Google Books.
  8. ↑ "Lagos State judges need capacity development – OJO | Newswatch Times". Archived from the original on 17 October 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  9. ↑ "former Lagos State Commissioner for Justice Prof. Yemi Osibajo. – Africa – News and Analysis". africajournalismtheworld.com. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  10. ↑ "Lagos State Government". lagosstate.gov.ng. Archived from the original on 20 April 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  11. ↑ Law, Robin (8 August 2002). From Slave Trade to 'Legitimate' Commerce. ISBN   9780521523066 . Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  12. ↑ Nwabueze, Benjamin Obi (1982). A Constitutional History of Nigeria. ISBN   9780905838793 . Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  13. ↑ "The Audacity of Purpose, Articles – THISDAY LIVE". thisdaylive.com. Archived from the original on 1 July 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  14. ↑ Ajiroba Yemi Kotun. "Paving The Way". TheNigerianVoice. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  15. ↑ "Learn About Lagos State, Nigeria – People, Local Government and Business Opportunities in Lagos". Overview of Nigeria -NgEX. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  16. ↑ Onanuga, Adebisi. "Mind your conduct, CJ tells magistrates". The Nation. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  17. ↑ "Joseph Adetunji Adefarasin - Fundstellen im Internet - cyclopaedia.net". cyclopaedia.de. Archived from the original on 29 June 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  18. ↑ "ALB – Ring of diamonds: Africa's emerging centres of arbitration". africanlawbusiness.com. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  19. ↑ "Charged with Contempt of Court By Femi Falana". Sahara Reporters. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  20. ↑ "Memories of Biafran Nightmares, Articles – THISDAY LIVE". thisdaylive.com. Archived from the original on 1 July 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  21. ↑ "NJC, Justice Oyewole and the burden of second oath". Daily Independent, Nigerian Newspaper. Archived from the original on 29 June 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  22. ↑ "Lagos gets new Chief Judge". The Punch – Nigeria's Most Widely Read Newspaper. Archived from the original on 29 June 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  23. ↑ "Fashola Swears in Atilade as Lagos Chief Judge, Articles – THISDAY LIVE". thisdaylive.com. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  24. ↑ "House of Assembly confirms Atilade as new Lagos CJ". Judicial Reporter. Archived from the original on 29 June 2015. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
  25. ↑ Ifeoma, Peters (20 October 2017). "My Judicial Odyssey – Honourable Justice Opeyemi Oke". DNL Legal and Style. Retrieved 29 May 2020.
  26. ↑ "Lagos and appointment of Chief Judges". Vanguard News. 3 October 2017. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  27. ↑ "APPOINTMENT OF HONOURABLE JUSTICE KAZEEM O. ALOGBA AS THE ACTING CHIEF JUDGE OF LAGOS STATE". Ministry of Justice. Retrieved 30 May 2021.
  28. ↑ "Sanwo-Olu appoints Justice Alogba as Chief Judge". Vanguard News. 10 June 2019. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
  29. ↑ "Lagos Judiciary Holds First Virtual Court Sitting". Channels Television. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  30. ↑ "Restorative justice system".
  31. ↑ "Lagos to launch restorative justice centre". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 7 December 2021. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.