By Bayo Akinlade Esq.
Yes, we are back again on this issue.
Fuel pump prices have gone up again while we continue to struggle with bringing justice closer to the common man.
When a Lower Court Judge cannot comfortably get home or conveniently pay his or her house rent; just know that we are in big trouble in Lagos State.
House rents have gone up and the same Magistrates are saddled with the responsibility of deciding most tenancy disputes, how do you think they will feel if their landlords take them to court to recover premises from them.
Transportation costs are high and our magistrates are saddled with deciding cases around traffic and other violations….most of our Lower Court Judges don’t have cars…what kind of State Government do we have?
These Magistrates are Lawyers in the 3rd arm of Government earning less than 300k per month and we expect them to do justice and maintain their integrity? ( You say that’s no excuse and I say; why should we give them an excuse )
While the State Executive and the Legislative arms fill their pockets with unjust gains the Lower Courts Judges in Lagos are systematically starved of the much needed resources to enable them do their jobs to maintain law and order.
Why is the State Government providing extra funds to Federal Government paid State Judges while ignoring the needs of its own Judicial Structure which is made up of the Magistrate and Customary Courts?.
Why are salaries of Lower Court Judges so small and insignificant?
Why are they suffering while their counterpart politicians smile to the bank?
What is our gain in a society that lacks Justice?
What if the Lower Court Judges go on strike? Perhaps then we will understand their value.
Speak up for the Lower Courts in your constituency
NBA should speak up for its members in the Lower Courts
Akinlade is Convener; Fight Against Corruption in the Judiciary and Citizens Support For Lower Courts
