Officially commissioning the building which was named in honour of the second Chief Judge of the State, Justice Joseph Adetunji Adefarasin, the Governor said he was making the plea on behalf of litigants and people who seek justice in the courtrooms, noting that whatever issues may be at dispute, negotiation will make a way.
Governor Fashola who spoke before a gathering of senior members of the Bench including former Chief Judges, Magisrates, lawyers and the widow of the honouree, Mrs Hilda Adefarasin added that the strike does the country no good because it does not afford service to the people on whose behalf the elected representatives exercise the privilege to be in government.
According to the Governor, the building being unveiled says so many things about the commitment of the government of Lagos State’s support of a strong judiciary as a necessary and indispensable institution for the enthronement and defence of rights in a democracy.
He described the building as pioneering because it is the first purpose built building of its type for any State Judicial Commission, adding that it is coming on the heels of other firsts for the Lagos judiciary which includes the largest purpose built Court House in Nigeria, the JIC Taylor Court House, the 22 dedicated court rooms which is only one of many that are being built.
The Governor added that It has also come on the heels of an expressed and commendable commitment to public service by the decision now of Magistrates in the State to sit on Saturdays in demonstration of a commitment to the defence of the rights of citizens.
Governor Fashola expressed gratitude to many people for the successful completion of the project singling out the former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Supo Sasore (SAN) who spearheaded the project and his predecessor, Mr Ade Ipaiye who ran with the baton to ensure that it was completed, the Permanent Secretary, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), the State House of Assembly and its Speaker, Rt Hon Adeyemi Ikuforiji and Chairman of the House Committee on Judiciary, Hon Sinai Agunbiade.
He also acknowledged the contributions of former Chief Judges of Lagos State during whose distinctive tenures the seed of the Judicial Service Commission was sown many years ago.
The Governor also praised the untiring efforts of the outgoing Executive Secretary of the Judicial Service Commission, Reverend Olubukola Balogun who was marking her last day in office, at steering the commission steadily on the course through three successive chief judges and also now midwiving the movement of the commission to what can be described as a very appropriate and befitting home.
Providing an insight into the proud Judicial heritage of Lagos, Governor Fashola said it is the oldest in the country dating back to the cession of the Lagos Government to the British Government in 1861 when it was known as Colony Province Judiciary.
He added that since then it has naturally served as a breeding ground for jurists of uncommon quality and sterling characters identifying one of them as late Justice Joseph Adetunji Adefarasin who became Chief Judge of Lagos in November 1974 following the death of the first Chief Judge of Lagos then, Hon JIC Taylor.
He reiterated that late Justice Joseph Adetunji Adefarasin who held office until 1985 like his predecessor was known for his high moral rectitude, his courage and his integrity on and off the bench.
“Under his watch as Chief Judge, the Lagos State Bench was reknown for his disciplined approach to work, dedication to duty and devotion to the best tradition of the bar and the bench which was a striking reflection of its head. Of him it was often said that he was completely beyond reproach”.
Earlier in her address, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon Justice Ayotunde Philips said the successful completion of the building goes further to show how the present administration not only appreciates the impact of the Judiciary to sustain democracy, but demonstrates boldly its commitment to a most effective, efficient and vibrant Judiciary that is adequately funded and equipped to meet the growing challenges and dynamism of modern society.
She solicited the continued support, cooperation and understanding of the Governor to achieve the Judiciary’s desired goal to attain the highest standard of judicial excellence thus placing her firmly within the 21st Century in terms of technological advancement.
The Governor later cut the tape while being assisted by Mama Hilda Adefarasin to unveil the Joseph Adetunji Adefarasin Building in Ikeja which provides an office complex for the Lagos State Judicial Service Commission and accommodates the Law Reform Commission.
Prominent among those who witnessed the event were the Pastor of the Guiding Light Assembly, Pastor Wale Adefarasin, Senator Muniru Muse, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN) and several dignitaries from the Bar and Bench.
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