L-R: Mrs. Omotola Rotimi, Director, Citizens Mediation Centre, CMC, Ms. Titilayo Shitta-Bey, Solicitor General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Hon. Victor Akande, Lagos State Chairman House Committee on Judiciary also representing Ojo Constituency 1; Mr. Olusola Rasulu, Chairman, Ojo Local Government, representative of Lagos State Governor, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, (SAN ) Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice and Hon. Surajudeen Tijani, representing House of Assembly Ojo II at the official commissioning of Iba, CMC at Iba Local Council Development Area on 7th January, 2020.

In furtherance of speedy and efficient delivery of justice to the people of Lagos State, Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Tuesday commissioned two new offices of the Citizens Mediation Centre, CMC, in the state, case filing reports.

The centre now has offices in Iba and Ojo area of Lagos State respectively.

The state governor expressed that Lagosians should continue to seek the services of the Citizens Mediation Centre in resolving disputes that are within its competence to handle

He advised them to embrace alternative dispute resolution in settling disputes rather than engage in self-help through violent means.

Speaking further through Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Moyosore Onigbanjo, SAN, the governor said the new offices commissioned is a demonstration of the government’s commitment to institutionalize alternative dispute resolution through Citizens Mediation Centres and other government-owned agencies for proper dispensation of justice in all matters.

Onigbanjo also expressed optimism that the new facilities and additional personnel will improve the speedy and efficient delivery of justice to the people within the axis.

While commending the CMC’s effort since its inception, Governor Sanwo-Olu disclosed that over 1 billion Naira have been received on behalf of clients from over 44,000 cases it handled in 2019.

Meanwhile Governor Sanwo-Olu also promised to add more centres to the 18 existing CMC offices across all 20 local governments and 37 local council development areas in the State for easier access to justice.

Ms. Titilayo Shitta-Bey, Solicitor-General/Permanent Secretary for Ministry of Justice, remarked that the establishment of the two offices of the Citizens Mediation Centre is to bring Justice to the doorstep of the people and assured that the state government will continue to fulfill its commitment to ensure effective administration of justice in the state.

The Chairman House Committee on Judiciary Representing Ojo Constituency I, Victor Akande, who expressed joy at the Governor’s gesture towards the residents of Iba and Ojo axis, thanked him for bringing the administration of justice closer to the people and assured that the gesture will promote peace in the area.

“It gives me joy that disputes will be settled here instead of going to courts and this will ensure peaceful co-existence amongst the people.

Also expressing appreciation to the governor, the Chairman Ojo Local Government Area, Rosulu Idowu Olusola, urged the residents of the axis to judiciously make use of the centre in settling their disputes amicably without going to court, saying it is a rare privilege.

The council boss assured that the community will continue to support the developmental plan of the State Government towards achieving a greater Lagos.