Lagos : Ambode inaugurates special courts for corruption, sexual offences

Governor Akinwummi Ambode of Lagos State Thursday inaugurated special courts for corruption, economic crimes and sexual offences with a charge judges to dispense justice fairly and speedily.

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”.

He spoke at the event which held at Rosaline Omotoso High Court Complex, Ikeja.
Ambode who was represented by his deputy, Dr Idiat Adebule, also appealed to the bar to ensure swift and seamless prosecution of these offences.

The governor believed 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.

He said 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”.
He said this was why the courts are being designated special courts to focus primarily on effective prosecution of these cases.

He however pointed out that the goal to make Lagos State a safe place to live, visit and do business can further be achieved if these specialized courts operate as conceptualized “, he said.
He said: ” these courts are an indication of our commitment at making Lagos uncomfortable for perpetrators of such offences and our judiciary, that has always led the vanguard at combating crimes in its own way, is resolved to discouraged same.

Lagos state Chief Judge, Justice Opeyemi Oke in a welcome address, disclosed that four courts have been set aside as special courts and that as at date, there are over 500 cases of financial crimes and 600 sexual offences pending before the high courts in the state.

She said the courts were set up following a directive from the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, to all heads of courts to dedicate some courts to determine corruption and economic crime cases.

''We believe strongly that the special courts shall fast track the trial of these types of cases and encouraged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other relevant bodies like ICPC to expedite the investigation and prosecution of such cases”, she said.

Justice Oke described sexual harassment and violence as serious threats and grave danger to women and children all over the world and a crime that has become an epidemic.

She explained 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.

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 Nation