Access to Justice :: Journals

R etired Honourable Justice Ibitola Sotuminu's ride as the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Nigeria's economic nerve center had been a most eventful one. For the three years she presided over the Lagos State Judiciary (May 2001 – March 2004), the administration of justice in the state witnessed a quick succession of groundbreaking changes that set new records in justice reform. Called to serve as Chief Judge in a post military environment that engendered a more active role for civil society groups and with the support of the Lagos State Government commited to sector reforms, Justice Sotuminu lifted the Lagos Judiciary in precedent-setting style.

The long list of accomplishments that Her Ladyship chronicled in this interview is remarkable, but Justice Sotuminu modestly acknowledges that it has not been a one-man show. Neither has it been a very smooth ride either. A few months to her retirement, a controversy trailed her, threatening to eat up her records of accomplishments and reputation. And no sooner had it appeared than it let loose its content- raucous petitions of financial improprieties leveled against her by 24 of her brethren on the Bench. What was her reaction and how did she weather the storm? In a chat with Joseph Otteh, Justice Sotuminu speaks about her time as Chief Judge, and the crises that threatened to mar her eventful judicial career. Her discourse makes interesting reading.

AJ : Your Lordship, how it has been these past nearly three years as Chief Judge of Lagos state?

CJ : Well thank you very much, it has been very challenging for me in the sense that for a woman to get to the top, you have to work two times as hard as a man before you're recognized...You can see how things are now …

“I believe that I am leaving a Judiciary that has a pride of place in the country...”

AJ : What kind of judiciary are you possibly leaving behind now?

CJ : I believe that I am leaving a Judiciary that has a pride of place in the country... At my swearing-in as the Chief Judge of Lagos State on May 28, 2001 I listed my aspirations, which would take the Lagos State Judiciary to an enviable height during my tenure. One of these … [was to introduce] stenographic court recording machines in all courts, to replace the longhand taking of evidence. Last year the Governor … approved the purchase of thirty-five court recording machines with their components. This year, we [proposed the acquisition of] forty more machines, which the Governor has graciously assured me he would honour.
Then, all the courts and directorates have been computerized and there are plans to purchase more computers to replace the old and out-dated ones. Judges were all given one laptop each. The older Judges still have their desktops, though many of them are not functioning again and they are being replenished now. We are working on the computer training system, which we put in place. In fact, the agent is giving us at least 50 desktop computers for now to be used by the courts and the registry.
We have decentralized the Probate Registry. There are now two Probate Registries in lkeja and Lagos, where Probate forms can be collected and submitted. This was to alleviate the problems [associated with having a single registry].
A lot has also been done on corruption. Throughthe United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention (UNODC) programme on: “Strengthening Judicial Integrity and Capacity in Nigeria” the Public Complaints and Training Committee was set up under the chairmanship of Hon. Justice K.M.O Kekere-Ekun. This Committee treats all complaints and petitions against Court employees by the public.

“I wat to make it perfectly clear to all members of the Bar and the public, that as long as God gives me life, and as long as my tenure of office subsists, I shall continue in my solemn dedication to the due administration of justice, in accordance with the oath I took” - Hon. Justice John Idowu Conrad Taylor

Towards this end, Complaint Boxes have been placed in strategic places at High Court premises in lkeja and Lagos. Efforts are being made to see that all Magistrates Courts are supplied with Complaint Boxes. Recommendations of the Committee are forwarded to the Disciplinary Committee and the Judicial Service Commission for further action. You will agree with me that the Almighty God has helped us achieve tremendous successes this year.

“Then, all the courts and directorates have been computerized and there are plans to purchase more computers to replace the old and out-dated ones. Judges were all given one laptop each”

Then comes the Lord's Place, the recreation centre for honourable judges to relax. The (Lagos) State Government approved the use of the property at No. 2, Park View Estate, lkoyi, which is now undergoing renovation. … The [Lord's place, when completed] will [have a] fully equipped gym, a reception area for our engagements and ceremonies, …a swimming pool and [facilities] for other outdoor games. The three phases are capital intensive…
Activities [in] the year 2003 commenced with separate seminars and retreats on “Healthcare and Managing Retirement,” for Magistrates, Heads of Directorates, all cadres of staff and Hon. Judges. The sole aim of the seminars was to create awareness and educate judicial and non-judicial staff alike on the need for adequate physical and mental healthcare. It was also to prepare the minds of those preparing to retire on theimportance of planning for retirement. We [now have] well equipped Staff Clinics at both lkeja and Lagos High courts. We replenish the [drugs] quarterly. . … In addition, First Aid Boxes for emergency care have been distributed throughout all the Divisions of the Judiciary.
Going back to 2002, an Annual Report of the activities of the Lagos State Judiciary in that year was compiled and published in a single document. It is the first of its kind [in Nigeria]. The year also saw the publication of the Lagos State monthly Newsletter. The United Nations Office for Drug Control and Crime Prevention (UNODC) provided the funds for it. The Newsletter is the mouthpiece for the implementation of the UNODC's programme: “Strengthening Judicial Integrity and Capacity in Nigeria.” It also serves as a bridge between the Judiciary and members of the public. Then there was the publication in 2002, of Who's Who in the Lagos State Judiciary 1967-2002. The book features all the Honorable men and women who have served and are still serving selflessly to uphold justice [since] the creation of Lagos State in May 1967.

This year (i.e. 2003) also witnessed another phenomenon- the review of the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules (2003). After a number of summits, seminars and conferences were held on a set of model rules prepared by a committee of eleven, the Lagos State House of Assembly passed the new Civil Procedure Rules into law. We [have had] training programs for all Hon. Judges to acquaint them with the new Rules. A seminar for all Court Registrars on the new Rules will also take place before this year runs out. [T] he in-house lawyers [should] have done their own seminars too.

The New High Court Complexes in Lagos and Ikeja [will be ready] for commissioning soon. The first year anniversary of the Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse took place in September 2003. Within a space of one year, the LMDC is already winning public confidence. The LMDC has also attracted a lot of enquiries and visits from within and outside Nigeria. As a result, the Abuja Multi-Door Courthouse was launched on October 13, 2003. By this year (2004)many more States would have followed suit because we have been getting feedback. These landmark achievements have been possible through the grace of the Almighty and the active support of the state government and some notable organizations like the National Center for State Courts (NCSC), UNODC and the British Council. The NCSC through its “Nigeria Rule of Law Assistance Project” connected the libraries at Ikeja and Lagos Divisions to the Internet early in 2003. The NCSC also organised from September 2nd-4th 2002 an “Ethics Workshop for Court Employees of the Federal Republic of Nigeria” and also initiated a “Model Code of Conduct for Court Employees in the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” which [when ready], will be distributed to the staff…. The UNODC through its program “Strengthening Judicial Integrity and Capacity in Nigeria” funded the Court Users' Forum with participants drawn from private and public sectors, Civil Society, Bar, Market women, Students and Trade Union Leaders. The objective of the forum was to sensitize the general public and create awareness about the Courts with a view to achieving a corruption-free society. I express my profound appreciation to these organizations. [Also Judiciary staff] that distinguished themselves [were] honoured with Merit Awards

“The legal system in any country is only as good as the institution on which it is based. Legal reform programs that do not enhance the capacity of these institutions will ultimately be wasteful. Programs should enhance the capacity and build the sustainability of the institutions that form the basis for functioning legal systems.” - Mark K. Dietrich in a report for The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development/The World Bank

AJ : Your Lordship, how it has been these past nearly three years as Chief Judge of Lagos state?

“I believe that I am leaving a Judiciary that has a pride of place in the country...”

AJ : What kind of judiciary are you possibly leaving behind now?

“Then, all the courts and directorates have been computerized and there are plans to purchase more computers to replace the old and out-dated ones. Judges were all given one laptop each”