Oyo to establish Multi-door Court House soon, says Ajimobi

Oyo State will soon join some states currently operating the Multi-door Court House (LMDC) if the bill for its establishment is passed by the State House of Assembly.

To this end, Gov. Abiola Ajimobi has directed the State Commissioner for Justice to ensure the passage of the bill without further delay.

The governor spoke while inspecting some projects being executed by the judicial arm of government.

It was reported that the governor was conducted round the projects by the Chief Judge, Justice Muntar Abimbola.

Lagos had in 2002 established multi-door court house with Akwa Ibom, Kano, Kaduna, Cross River and Delta States as well as the FCT replicating it.

Ajimobi said the establishment of the multi-door court house would serve as an alternative dispute resolution and ensure better access to justice and also decongest court dockets (list of court cases).

“For this reason, I have directed the Commissioner for Justice to work in collaboration with the Chief Judge to design a process and structure that ensures that the issue of court congestion is finally laid to rest.

“I have observed the continuing congestion of our courts in spite of various efforts at decongesting them.

“Similarly, I have assented to the Community Service Bill to ensure alternative sentencing regime is available in Oyo State for criminal offenders in minor cases,’’ he said.

The governor also said he had assented to the new Administration of Criminal Justice Law which, he noted, was now being mass produced for circulation to the public.

He expressed optimism that the efforts would complement the judicial arm’s diligent pursuit of speedy dispensation of justice in the state.

Ajimobi said:“We expect the judiciary in its administration of justice to continue to observe the time tested maxim in its pronouncements.

“Injunctions and restraining orders, particularly when made ex parte to restrain constitutional and statutory powers of government will, therefore, appear to contradict this principle.

“Government does not exercise its powers arbitrarily, but in line with its executive powers as circumscribed in our constitution and laws.

“I trust the judiciary will continue to observe this in our application of judicial pronouncements to the various matters before it.’’

He described the judicial arm as a veritable partner in the quest to build a modern Oyo State.

“Since 2011, our budgetary support to the judiciary has increased by over 400 percent with several intervention efforts by this administration to support your infrastructural development.

“The effort would also ease operational constraints and improve the welfare of judges and magistrates.”

Earlier, Abimbola expressed appreciation to the Ajimobi-led administration for providing a conducive atmosphere for the administration of justice in the state.

He called for the gazetting of the newly accented law on the administration of criminal justice which, he noted, would accelerate the judicial process in the state.

Abimbola also called for the repositioning of the Judicial Service Commission through the provision of vehicles, sitting allowances and other logistics to enhance their performance.

It was reported that the governor was conducted round the ongoing renovation works at the State High Court, Magistrate Court, Customary Court of Appeal, Family and Juvenile Court, all in Ibadan.