LASRERA VISITS LAGOS CHIEF JUDGE, REQUESTS SPECIAL COURTS FOR REAL ESTATE CASES
In order to stem the tide of fraudulent practices in the real estate sector and also ensure speedy trials of erring real estate agents, the Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority, LASRERA, has called for the collaboration of the Judiciary in providing designated judges solely responsible for the handling of real estate related cases.
The Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Housing, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka made the call on Tuesday, when she led some Principal Officers of the Agency on a courtesy visit to the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Honourable Justice Kazeem Alogba.
Benson-Awoyinka said that for Lagos State Real Estate Regulatory Authority (LASRERA) to effectively enforce the law guiding activities such as misconducts, complaints or petitions from the public against persons or organisations within the sector, there is a need for special courts and designated judges to attend to all Real Estate Matters in order to fast-track hearing on such cases.
She appealed to the Honourable Judge to consider the Agency’s request due to the high level of fraud and quackery of some Real Estate practitioners and the need to expedite hearings on matters that affect real estate businesses in the State.
In her words, “The Courts need to accelerate the dispensation of all matters/issues in relation to real estate and ensure that victims get justice within a reasonable time and are refunded accordingly if the perpetrators are culpable. The property of the culprits might be confiscated and sold to offset the payment already made by the affected victims”.
In his response, Justice Kazeem Alogba pledged the readiness of the State Judiciary to support the fight against fraudulent dealings in the Real Estate practice in the State, describing the request of the Agency for Special Courts as a welcome development and promising to soon assign judges to handle such cases within some jurisdictions in the State.
While thanking the Special Adviser for seeking such collaboration between the two arms of Government in order to achieve the set objectives of the Agency, Justice Alogba reiterated the commitment of the judiciary to supporting the Agency in its efforts to sanitise the industry and its pursuit of quick dispensation of justice to the people.
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PIX: (L-R) Hon. Justice Femi-Adeniyi, Hon. Justice Dabiri, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba, Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Housing, Mrs. Toke Benson Awoyinka and Deputy Director, Administrative and Human Resources, LASRERA, Mrs. Titilayo Omorodion, during the courtesy visit to the office of the Chief Judge of Lagos State on Tuesday.
