Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Inumidun Akande, has accused some Magistrates within the state judiciary of attending conferences and seminars without official approvals from her office.
Addressing the Lagos State Head of Service, HOS, Olusegun Ogunleye, when he paid a visit to her, the Chief Judge noted that the Ministry of Establishment and Pension, which is in charge of sending some of the Magistrates for local and international seminars and workshops had continued to sideline her office when nominating Magistrates to attend such events.
According to her, the steps undertaken by some government departments, ministries and agencies were not helping the smooth running of the judicial system, especially at the magistrate courts.
She said: “The Chief Judge of Lagos State only reserves the right under the Constitution and law to appoint, nominate or approve the participation of any member of staff of the Lagos State Judiciary including Magistrates for seminars, workshops and conferences within and outside the country.”
Commends Fashola over judges’ appointment
She commended the administration of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) for the appointment of new judges for the state judiciary pointing out that, this would ease the pressure of work and dispensation of justice in the state.
Apart from this, Akande called for the assistance of the HOS in clarifying the roles and functions of the Lagos State Judicial Service Commission (LJSC). This, she said, became necessary to avoid unnecessary duplication of functions and breach of Constitution particularly as it relates to personnel and establishment matters.
She also appealed to Mr. Ogunleye to extend the high quality service welfare package in the state civil service to judiciary workers.
According to the her, it would be appreciated if judicial staff are henceforth accommodated in all the staff welfare policies and programme of the state, such as training for officers on salary grade level 13 and above, by the Ministry of Establishment, Ramadan feeding, supplements allocation of slots for Holy pilgrimage to Israel and Saudi Arabia, among others.
While responding, the Head of service commended the resilience of the Chief Judge which he said has positively impacted on the operations of courts in the state.
He however, promised to look into the issues raised by the CJ with a view to resolving them in strict compliance with the rule of law in the country.