NOTICE

UPLOADING OF DOCUMENTS IN THE REGISTRY OF THE HIGH

COURT OF LAGOS STATE
TAKE NOTICE that the Hon. Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice K. O.
Alogba has directed that the Lagos State Judiciary will no longer upload
processes for E-filing for litigants and all concerned with effect from 4th
October, 2022.
TAKE FURTHER NOTICE that any process which does not state the
Litigant/Legal Practitioner’s valid telephone numbers and e-mail
addresses will no longer be accepted for filing.
DATED THIS 26TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2022

MR. T.A. ELIAS

AG. CHIEF REGISTRAR
 Delay in the Reconstruction of Burnt Igbosere High
Court is Due to Budgetary Constraints -LASG

Lagos state government has ascribed the delay in rebuilding the burnt Igbosere
High Court to budgetary constraints.
The Deputy Governor, Dr Obafemi Hamzat stated this while answering questions
from journalists at the New Year Legal Service 2022/2023 at the Lagos Central
Mosque, Nnamdi Azikwe Street, Lagos. It would be recalled that Igbosere was burnt
by some criminals during the End SARs protest of 2020.
Dr Hamzat said the reconstruction of the foremost court of the country is a function
of budget.
"Remember, if you have a budget, you have budget for various things. Where do
we take it from? Is it the funding of the schools that you take from to go and repair
what is already done? Or do you stop what is already in progress? So, it has to be
juggled".
"The bottom line is that we cannot continue to destroy our assets. It is just wrong"
He added.
"What they don't know is that they are destroying the assets of the State and
Lagosians also need to condemn that."
Dr. Hamzat however stated that a Trust Fund has been set up to commence its
assignment with reconstruction of the Igbosere High Court Complex.
The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba had earlier appealed to
the State Government to urgently look into the reconstruction of the burnt
Igbosere High Court.
Justice Alogba made this appeal during a vote of thanks delivered at the event.
He lamented the destruction of the Igbosere High Court, noting that it was a
monumental edifice that must be revived.
The Chief judge revealed that the judiciary will only function effectively when it is
devoid of state and public interference in adjudicating justice delivery.
Justice Kazeem Alogba, added that the sure way the judiciary can discharge its
responsibility without fear or favour is when it is truly independent.
In a remark, Bashorun Musulumi of Lagos, Alhaji Sikiru Alabi-Macfoy called on the
State Chief Judge to revive Prison visit in order to address the issue of prison
decongestion as the number of awaiting trial inmates far outnumber the convicted
inmates.
He urged the CJ to ensure that matters enjoyed accelerated hearing, noting that
justice delay is justice denial.
An Islamic Scholar, Dr. Ishaq Sanusi, while delivering a lecture, advised Judges and
Magistrates to bring back justice to the country in order 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,
Reverend Olusola Odedeji urged the Lagos State Judiciary to uphold truth and
Justice at all time.
Dr Odedeji who made the call in his sermon at a church service at the Cathedral
Church of Christ Marina, Lagos, urged all the judges and magistrates to use their
positions and tenures in service to God and to humanity, bearing in mind that their
positions were not accidental but providential.

Ololade Ige/Adekunbi Bakare

Public Affairs Officer
Lagos State Judiciary
E-FILING SUPPORT HELP LINES & EMAIL

09096767687, 08182052046

EMAIL: support@lagosjudiciary.gov.ng

Chief Registrar:
EMAIL: chiefregistrar@lagosjudiciary.gov.ng
 LAGOS STATE JUDICIARY
REMOTE HEARING OF CASES
(COVID-19 PANDEMIC PERIOD)
PRACTICE DIRECTION
Whereas:
The current Corona Virus (Covid-19) pandemic necessitates the use of
Remote Hearing to ensure cases are heard and disposed of urgently where
possible. This Practice Direction applies to new cases where there is urgency
and pending cases involving urgent and or time-bound interlocutory
applications such as bail applications, Fundamental Human Rights matters
where the Applicant is in custody, adoption of addresses, rulings and
judgments or any other matter as the Chief Judge may approve.

1. This Practice Direction therefore sets out the guidelines to be adopted

in Remote Hearing, recognising the urgent need for the Judiciary to put in
place measures to guarantee continued access to justice and expeditious
disposal of cases while minimising the risk of transmission of Covid-19.

2. Now therefore I, Honourable Justice Kazeem O. Alogba the

Chief Judge of Lagos State, pursuant to the provisions of Section 6(6) and
Section 274 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as
amended), Section 87(1) High Court Law of Lagos State 2015, Order 49
Rules 1, 2 and 3 High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2019,
Section 90(2) Lagos State Magistrates’ Court Law 2015, Section 354(1)
Administration of Criminal Justice Law of Lagos State 2015 and any other
enabling legislation, hereby issue the following Practice Direction-

Objectives of the Practice Direction:

3. The objectives of this Practice Direction shall be to ensure:

(i) timely and efficient disposal of cases;
(ii) use of suitable technology;
(iii) just determination of the proceedings; and
(iv) efficient use of available judicial and administrative resources.

4. The method by which Remote Hearings will be conducted shall be as

directed by the Court in accordance with the Constitution of the Federal

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Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), applicable Laws, Rules and this
Practice Direction.

Electronic filing of processes

5. Parties and counsel shall ensure every document filed electronically or
at the Court Registry has the email address and mobile telephone number of
the counsel or contact person where parties are not represented by counsel.

6. The Registry will receive documents for filing electronically. All

documents to be filed must be scanned or converted to an appropriate PDF
format and forwarded to the Registry via designated email address or
whatsapp. Where documents are filed by counsel, each process shall be
signed and sealed by such counsel;
PROVIDED that where it is impracticable to file processes electronically, same
may be filed at the Registry of the Court.

7. The Chief Registrar shall designate appropriate officials who shall

assess the fees payable by Parties and communicate same to them by email,
whatsapp or text message.

8. (i) Parties shall pay the assessed fees by electronic transfer into the
Bank
Account of the Court.
(ii) A copy of the electronic receipt issued shall be scanned for
verification.
(iii) The document shall be deemed to have been filed when the
payment is verified by the Court;
PROVIDED that during the Covid-19 period, where it is impracticable to
make e-payment, payment can be made at the Registry.

9. The email address and contact telephone number of the Registry shall
be made available on the Judicial Information System (JIS) and the Judiciary
Website.

Service of processes electronically

10. Notwithstanding the provisions of the High Court of Lagos State (Civil
Procedure) Rules 2019 and the Lagos State Magistrates’ Court (Civil
Procedure) Rules 2015, service of Court processes may be effected by email,
whatsapp or as otherwise directed by the Court.

11. Such service in paragraph 10 above shall be good and sufficient

service.

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12. Service of Processes shall be proved by filing an affidavit exhibiting a
printout from the electronic device used in sending the process and showing
the date and time of receipt of same by the other party.

13. Where an electronic mode of service is employed, time shall prima

facie begin to run from the date the process was sent.

Preparation for Remote Hearings

14. Parties and Counsel shall liaise with the Registry for the purpose of
scheduling hearings.

15. Parties or their Counsel may indicate voluntary participation in the

Remote Hearing through the official email of the Court.

16. Remote Hearings shall be by Zoom, Skype for business or any other
video communication method approved by the Court.

17. Before ordering a Remote Hearing, the Registry will liaise with all
counsel on record to ensure that suitable facilities are available. The Court
shall thereafter direct:
(i) an appropriate remote communication method for the hearing; or
(ii) an adjournment, if a Remote Hearing is not possible.

18. Notice of a Remote Hearing shall be stated on the Cause List and the
Judiciary website and shall be communicated to the counsel and or parties by
e-mail, whatsapp or any other electronic means as the court may direct.

Conduct of Remote Hearings

19. The Court shall give directions to Parties during Remote Hearings on
the use of video and audio during proceedings.

20. Counsel shall dress appropriately and Parties shall be properly dressed
for Court proceedings.

Recording

21. Proceedings of the Remote Hearing shall be recorded by the Court.

22. Recording of proceedings by Counsel and or Parties shall only be with

the leave of Court.

23. Certified True Copy of proceedings shall be made available upon

request.

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Adoption of Written Addresses
24. Adoption of Written Addresses shall be in compliance with the
provisions of the Rules of Court, provided that oral argument thereof may be
dispensed with by agreement of parties.

Notice of delivery of Judgment and or Ruling

25. The Court shall, through the Registry notify Counsel and or Parties by
email or whatsapp of the date reserved for the delivery of Judgment and or
Ruling.

Commencement
26. This Practice Direction shall come into force on the ……………….. day of
May, 2020

……….………………………………………..
Hon. Justice Kazeem O. Alogba
Chief Judge of Lagos State

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