The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, on Monday appealed to the state government to start the reconstruction of the burnt Igbosere High Court to enable them to start using the court again.

Justice Alogba made the appeal while giving a vote of thanks at the opening of the 2022-2023 new legal year of the Lagos State Judiciary at the Lagos Central Mosque on the Island.

The CJ said, “The judiciary will only function effectively when it is devoid of state and public interference in adjudicating justice delivery.

“The sure way the judiciary can discharge its responsibility without fear or favour is when it is truly independent.”

The deputy governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, who represented Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, blamed the lack of funding for the delay in rebuilding the court.

Hamzat explained that a Trust Fund has been set up to oversee the reconstruction of the Court.

Also speaking, Bashorun Musulumi of Lagos, Alhaji Sikiru Alabi-Macfoy, urged the State Chief Judge to restore prison visits and address the issue of prison decongestion as the number of awaiting trial inmates far outnumbers the convicted inmates.

He further urged the CJ to ensure that cases are heard speedily, noting that justice delayed is justice denied.

An Islamic scholar, Dr Ishaq Sanusi, advised judges and magistrates to bring back justice to the country to achieve political and economic stability.

He explained that if justice is restored in the country, inequality and insecurity will be dealt with, and the economy will improve for the better.

On his part, the Bishop of the Diocese of the Lagos West, Anglican Communion, Dr Olusola Odedeji, urged the state judiciary to uphold truth and justice at all times.