By Tope Musowo
Lagos
Lagos state Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, yesterday declared the 2016/2017 Legal Year open, urging members of the bar and the bench to come up with innovative reforms so that the Lagos state Judiciary will continue to retain its pride of place in the country.
The Governor, who spoke during a church service to commemorate the beginning of the Legal Year, held at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, said the synergy of the executive and the Judiciary was pivotal to the success of any administration, just as he restated his administration’s commitment to enthrone the rule of law and protect the less privileged.
He thanked the Judiciary for the support given to his administration in the last 16 months, urging them continue to discharge their duties without fear or favour to ensure peace continues to reign in the state.
Ambode while acknowledging that the task of delivering justice to the citizens was tough, however, expressed optimism that the judicial arm of government represented by the Lagos state Judiciary remained the only and the last hope of the citizens in the state.
He said: “Our administration is determined to enthrone the rule of law and protect the less privileged in our society. And that is why we paid so much emphasis on the rule of law and judicial sector reforms and we strongly believe we can do this together.
“We are gathered here again today; just the same way we came last year to seek his protection and guidance I just want to urge all of you in the judicial sector that we should discharge our duties with the fear of God.”
Earlier, Provost of the Cathedral, Rev. Akinyemi Johnson, commended Governor Ambode for finding time to attend the event, while also alluding to the strides that the state has recorded since the Governor assumed office.
