INDUSTRIAL COURT PRESIDENT LAUDS OBASEKI ON INVESTMENT IN JUDICIARY

INDUSTRIAL COURT PRESIDENT LAUDS OBASEKI ON INVESTMENT IN JUDICIARY

…AS COURT OPENS DIVISION IN BENIN

The President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Babatunde Adejumo, has lauded the commitment of the Governor Godwin Obaseki-led Administration towards ensuring that the judicial arm of government is given the necessary support to function effectively.

Justice Adejumo gave the commendation in Benin City, during the commissioning of the Benin Division of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, constructed by the Edo State Government.

According to him, the establishment and commissioning of the Industrial Court  in Edo State  would  promote  industrial  harmony  in the State and provide succour for lawyers who used to travel to Akure to attend to cases from Edo State.

Justice   Adejumo   noted   that   the  court   would   also   encourage   social development of the State through the promotion of peace and progress in the State, and in the Country at large.

“The  facility  is great  and  the  building  is good.    This is the  product  of cooperation and I thank the Governor for this,” he said.

The Industrial  Court President  explained  that the Court was established  in 1976 and his coming on board 16 years ago led to its spread in Nigeria as Edo State is the 28th state where the court has been established.

In his response, Governor Obaseki said, “This is the first in the series where we will be handing  over  properties  to the Judiciary  as we have several  of them undergoing construction in the State.”

The Governor thanked the President of the National Industrial Court for honouring the State with his presence at the commissioning ceremony, stating that his Administration had already provided accommodation for Hon. Justice Adeola Adewemimo, who would be the first resident Judge of the National Industrial Court in Benin City.

He said, “We are investing in our Judiciary as we have started the first in the series of accommodation for Judges in the State and we will not discriminate as we will ensure a comfortable accommodation for them. Our plan next year is to develop an estate for Judges in the GRA area of Edo State.

“This is just a temporary Court as the Court will be relocated to a permanent site within the next three years. We have secured the property and we have actually completed a design for the permanent structure.”

He further  said,  “As a government, we want  to ensure  we have  the full complement  of the Judiciary  in the State and we are doing everything to provide what is required to make the Judiciary  function effectively  and efficiently  in Edo State.

“We are going to be emphasising and strengthening our Magistracy, investing in our High Court and are pleased that we have successfully been able to attract the Industrial Court to Edo State as we work to relocate the Court of Appeal to a more auspicious premises and hope if possible to have a Supreme Court in Edo State.”

According to Governor Obaseki, the aspiration of his Administration is to be the industrial hub of Nigeria as the State is working hard to ensure that before the end of the year, the State Government will commence the construction of 1,000 hectares of Industrial Park in the State, and it will become the bastion for attracting companies and organisations to the State.

In her remarks, the Attorney  General and Commissioner for Justice, Prof. Yinka Omorogbe, said the construction of the Court in Edo State had provided one instance of the positive attitude of Governor Obaseki towards all matters pertaining to the administration of justice and the rule of law in the State.

Also speaking, the Chief Judge of Edo State, Justice Esohe lkponmwen, who expressed delight at the achievement, said it was a great development for the State.

She thanked the Governor for the achievement and expressed confidence that the Court will contribute to industrial harmony in the State.

The Chairman of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Edo State branch, Prince (Barr.) Collins  Benson Ogiegbaen, expressed  the gratitude of the Bar of Edo and Delta states to the Governor  of Edo State, Mr. Godwin  Obaseki, for realising  the dreams  of  most  lawyers  in  both  states,  who  were  exposed  to kidnapping  and hardship on the Akure Road, as it was one of the most dangerous  roads in Nigeria, saying. “The entire Bar in Edo and Delta states are grateful to the exemplary leadership style of the Governor of Edo State.”