Francesca Odimgbe
The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Monday pledged his administration’s commitment for the establishment of an additional Court of Appeal Division in Lagos, saying the State’s growing population and expanding economic activities have increased the pressure on the judiciary.
Governor Sanwo-Olu announced during a courtesy visit by the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, and members of the Court of Appeal at the Lagos House, Marina, that additional Courthouse will be ready for the Ikeja Division before February next year.
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the Lagos State judiciary while respecting its constitutional independence.
Governor Sanwo-Olu observed that the Lagos Division remains the oldest and one of the busiest divisions of the Court of Appeal, owing to the state’s position as Nigeria’s commercial and economic hub.
He said the rapid growth in Lagos over the past several years has placed enormous pressure on every arm of government, including the judiciary. He, therefore, appealed to the President of the Court of Appeal for the creation of an additional appellate division for Lagos.
“The pressure on Lagos is real because of the volume of commercial and economic activities taking place in the State. We feel it on the executive side, and I am sure the judiciary feels similar pressure.
“You currently have 20 divisions across the country. We have a desire to make it 21, and I will make the case that Lagos deserves two divisions. We are ready to work with you and provide the infrastructure required to make this a reality because it is the people who will ultimately benefit.
“Our commitment is to continue providing the necessary support so that the judiciary remains independent and continues to discharge its responsibilities fairly and equitably as the law permits,” he said.
Describing Justice Dongban-Mensem as a woman of dignity, honour and exceptional leadership, Governor Sanwo-Olu commended her commitment to strengthening the judiciary and ensuring justice delivery across the country.
“I have tremendous respect for the President of the Court of Appeal. She has carried herself with dignity, honour and integrity, and it is an honour to receive her and her hardworking colleagues in Lagos,” he said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu also praised the President of the Court of Appeal for her support to Lagos, recalling that earlier in the year she deployed several justices to the Lagos Division for a special sitting that helped clear a significant number of pending cases.
He noted that the Court of Appeal began operations in Lagos in February 1977, describing the state as the historic home of the appellate court.
“The Court of Appeal started in Lagos almost 50 years ago, and Lagos will do everything possible to make your golden jubilee celebration memorable,” he said.
Speaking earlier, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for his continued support for the Court of Appeal and appreciated the assistance received from the Lagos State Government and the Office of the Attorney-General.
She explained that the visit formed part of activities marking the Court of Appeal’s 50th anniversary, noting that Lagos was deliberately chosen as the starting point because it is the birthplace of the Court of Appeal.
“We started here in February 1977, and since then the Court of Appeal has expanded from four divisions to 20 divisions across the country. We felt it was only proper to come back to Lagos to formally inform the Governor of our golden jubilee activities,” she said.
Justice Dongban-Mensem disclosed that the anniversary celebration would run throughout the year, beginning with a special court session in Lagos where several justices sat to hear and determine numerous pending appeals, significantly reducing the backlog of cases.
She also revealed that discussions were ongoing regarding the proposed Ikeja Division of the Court of Appeal, describing it as a significant step towards positioning the court for the next 50 years.
“We are ready to step into the Ikeja Division as we prepare to launch the next 50 years in the history of the Court of Appeal,” she said.
The courtesy visit underscored the longstanding relationship between the Lagos State Government and the Court of Appeal, with both parties expressing commitment to strengthening judicial administration and improving access to justice for Nigerians.