Bankole Taiwo, Abeokuta
Poised to enhance administration and delivery of civil justice in Ogun, the state governor, Dapo Abiodun, on Wednesday, launched the Ogun State Civil Justice Transformation Lab Draft Strategy.
Speaking at the formal launch of the Draft Strategy held at the Obas’ Complex, Oke Mosan, Abeokuta, Abiodun noted that the new justice mechanism would lead to improved and effective dispute resolution and justice in the state.
He explained that the rationale behind the establishment of the Strategy is to ensure and maintain the vision of his administration of making Ogun the safest place to work, live and do business in the country.
The governor noted that efficient and effective administration of justice is an important pillar of access to justice and, by extension, a key indicator towards the ease of doing business in any society.
According to the governor, “it is when an enabling environment is created that businesses can thrive and new ones be attracted”.
Abiodun maintained that a people-centred approach to justice administration will facilitate equal access to justice for all, and create an enabling environment for both people and local businesses to thrive, adding “ to achieve this ideal, justice must not only be done, but must also be seen to be done. Indeed, a robust and easy access like we envisage under this programme becomes inevitable”.
He expressed hope that the Strategy, when implemented, would address more effectively the justice needs of the people of Ogun, submitting “I have instructed the Attorney-General to ensure that the document is widely disseminated to enable us develop the best possible document to serve the interest of the state.”
Earlier in his address, the Attorney-General and the Commissioner for Justice in the state, Gbolahan Adeniran, noted that without a sound justice system, plans and vision of the incumbent administration to deliver good governance would remain illusory.
He added that to ensure effective delivery of good governance in the state, government must actively promote justice, equity, fairness, transparency, participatory and inclusive governance in which respect for the rule of law is considered fundamental.
Adeniran, who said that his ministry sought the cooperation and support of the Hague Institute to enhance the administration of the civil justice system, as it has suffered neglect over the years when compared to efforts to reform the criminal justice system, submitted that “as a government, I believed it was important for us to address our dispute resolution system – that is, the speed and quality of the administration of civil justice in the state”.