500 Financial Crimes, 600 Sexual Violence Cases Pending In Lagos Courts- CJ
*As Osinbajo Inaugurates Special Offences Courts For Corruption, Sexual Violence Cases
The Chief Judge of Lagos Justice Opeyemi Oke on Thursday revealed that about 500 financial and 600 sexual violence cases are currently pending in Lagos courts.
Justice Oke who spoke at the inauguration of four special courts to solely tackle the menace of corruption in the state said it is in line with the directive of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen.
Justice Walter Onnoghen had in September 2017 directed for all heads of courts in the country to create special courts for the speedy trial of corruption cases.
In her address at the inauguration of the courts tagged “Special Offences Courts”, the Chief Judge Of Lagos State Justice Opeyemi Oke noted that there were no fewer than 500 financial crimes and 600 sexual violence cases currently pending before the Lagos State High Court, most of which, she said, had now been transferred to the special courts for expeditious hearing
The Chief Judge stressed that the judiciary shared in the concern of President Muhammadu Buhari that most of the corruption cases filed under his administration had at best moved at snail’s pace.
She also pointed out that the inauguration of the Special Offences and Sexual Offences courts was aimed at enlightening and informing the public of the special attention the federal and state courts are prepared to invest in the elimination of the heinous crimes against humanity.
Also speaking, the governor of the state, Akinwummi Ambode charge judges to dispense justice fairly and speedily.
Ambode, who was represented at the event by his deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule noted that with the cooperation of the state’s judiciary the fight against corruption in the country and in Lagos in particular will be energised.
He told the judges that through this partnership, “your voice to our call to give Lagos a special status of zero tolerance to crime will be achieved”.
The governor also appealed to lawyers to ensure swift and seamless prosecution of these offences.
He maintained that the creation of the special courts would assist in expeditious prosecution of economic and financial crimes and ensure that justice is attained by bringing offenders to justice without delay.
Ambode noted that corruption constituted a major challenge to sustainable development of the country and has adversely affected the integrity, image and business confidence of prospective investors.
The governor further stated that it is proper to classify Lagos, over 20 million population, as one of the most populous cities of the world ” and indeed the economic and financial capital of Nigeria and by extension of West Africa.
“This naturally makes it the most susceptible to perpetrators of these crimes”.
The Wife of the Vice President, Mrs. Oludolapo Osinbajo described as frightening of corruption and sexual offences cases in court.
“The statistics quoted by the Chief Justice of Lagos is very frightening; it only speaks of half of the true picture.
“Behind the figures are the faces of the affected women and girls as well as the men and boys.” Osinbajo said.
Giving examples of real life scenarios of sexual violence, Osinbajo said that victims of such offences should never be ignored.
“We should not ignore the trauma and nightmare that sexual offences bring, let us not forget the girls not only in Nigeria but all over the world,” she said.
The Presiding Justice of the Lagos Division of the Court Appeal, Justice M . I . Garba, represented the CJN.
Other personalities at the event includes: the acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ibrahim Magu, the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachukwa.
