Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Thursday lamented the condition of prisons in the state, saying he would work with the judiciary and the Federal Government to ensure reforms.
Sanwo-Olu spoke after swearing in the acting Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba.
“The current situation where over 70 per cent of inmates in our prisons constitute awaiting trials is not acceptable as it is not a reflection of an efficient justice delivery system. We will also not hesitate to do whatever is required to sustain the ongoing reform in the judicial sector so the desired result of ensuring that the wheel of justice rolls as fast as it could will be achieved,” he added.
The governor, who stated that his administration would embark on a review of the state’s judiciary, said the three arms of government must form a synergy for the development of the state.
While congratulating the new acting Chief Judge, Sanwo-Olu expressed confidence in his capacity to continue on the path of progress that had been created in the state judiciary since the beginning of the fourth republic.
In his response, Justice Alogba promised to exercise the powers of his office for the good of the common man and the furtherance of the administration of justice in Lagos State.
The new acting Chief Judge suggested that traffic and environmental offenders should henceforth serve their sentences at the point where the offences are committed.
He said community service or some other forms of punishment should be handed to offenders at the point of contravention.