By Our Reporter
The Ogun State Government has approved the award of a contract for the construction of a complex to house the Abeokuta Division of the Court of Appeal at the cost of ₦6,118,098,154.70.
The State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwasina Ogungbade, SAN, made this known in a release, copy of which was made available to newsmen, saying that the approval was granted at the State Executive Council meeting held Friday,
According to him, the contract, valued at ₦6,118,098,154.70, provides for the development of the court complex on a 2.6-hectare parcel of land adjoining the existing State Judiciary Complex in Olipakala Village via Kobape area of Abeokuta, within the Judiciary Cluster along the Abeokuta–Sagamu Expressway.
He noted that this milestone represents a significant step in the state government’s sustained efforts to deepen access to justice and bring appellate adjudication closer to the people of Ogun State.
Ogungbade said a review by the Ministry showed that a clear majority of appeals currently heard by the Ibadan Division of the Court of Appeal emanate from Ogun State, while the absence of a division within the state had, over the years, increased the financial burden on litigants and legal practitioners and, in some instances, contributed to delays in the resolution of appeals.
This was just as he recalled that the state government had consistently demonstrated readiness for the take-off of the Abeokuta Division, following which six duplexes were constructed on 4,359 square metres of land in Ibara Housing GRA to serve as official residences for justices of the division.
"In addition, twenty bungalows at the Prince Court Estate, Kobape, have been set aside for support staff.
"In 2025, the state received approval from the President of the Court of Appeal for the Abeokuta Division to commence operations.
"This followed the special sitting of the court in Abeokuta in May 2024, during which about ten panels sat in the state and disposed of over 150 appeals within three days.
"The groundbreaking ceremony for the new Court of Appeal complex will take place in the coming days, while construction is expected to be completed within twelve months.
"The Ogun State Ministry of Justice remains committed to justice sector reforms that democratise access to justice, strengthen institutions, and ensure efficient delivery of judicial services in the state," the statement said.
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