Magistrates get homely accommodation as Sanwo-Olu opens new housing scheme for Lagos Judiciary

…Governor commissions 3-bedroom apartment blocks in Ketu, Deputy Sheriff Warehouse in Ikorodu

Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Friday, inaugurated a newly completed housing scheme for officers in the State’s judicial arm of Government.

The two blocks of 3-bedroom apartments sited in the residential area of Ketu are the first set of accommodation built by the Sanwo-Olu administration for magistrates to enable them carry out their duties effectively.

The Governor also commissioned Deputy Sheriff Warehouse in Majidun area of Ikorodu to provide a secure, organised and professionally managed space where properties under litigation will be properly stored, documented and preserved, pending the adjudication on the court proceedings instituted on the properties.

Inaugurating the housing project, Sanwo-Olu said magistracy was a critical component of the judicial arm, serving as the first point of contact for citizens seeking justice.

The Governor observed that magistrates’ pronouncements were vital to maintaining the peace, order and stability within districts they are serving. As such, they needed to be made comfortable in carrying out their duties, while insulating them from interference and undue pressure that could make them act below expectations.

He said: “Today, we are handing over a housing scheme that comprises two blocks of 3-bedroom each to our judicial officers in magistrate cadre and our counsels in the Ministry of Justice to support them in carrying out their statutory duties effectively. This gesture is considered as a necessary step to ensure the welfare of our judicial officers remains the top priority of the Government they serve.

“While we understand and appreciate the full separation of powers, there is always a common denominator among the three arms of the Government that ensures we complement one another. The minimum we can do is to ensure that we make this job a lot comfortable and appreciable for our magistrates. It is only when they have comfortable accommodation and welfare packages they can do their job without fear or favour.”

The Deputy Sheriff Warehouse commissioned by the Governor is said to be a vital addition to the judicial ecosystem, as the facility would be a holding bay to warehouse properties that are subject to execution of judgments of courts but which judgment is subject to an appeal and stay of further execution, thereby suspending the sale of the property on behalf of the judgment creditor.