The newly completed Commercial Court House on Tapa Street, Lagos Island, stands as a seven-storey symbol of Lagos State’s unwavering commitment to efficient, investor-friendly justice. Designed, built and funded entirely by the Lagos State Judiciary, this purpose-built edifice ushers in a fresh chapter for commercial dispute resolution in Nigeria’s economic capital.

A brief historical journey of the Commercial Court House can be traced to year 2009 when the Magistrate Court building was demolished by the administration of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN who approved the replacement of the historic but dilapidated Magistrate Court to pave the way for a modern complex with 22 Courtrooms.

The property upon which the Commercial Court House sits once served as interim Courts during the upgrade of the Magistrate Court Complex, Igbosere to prevent a justice vacuum, when the Courts were erected temporarily “container court”. After the new Complex was opened, the makeshift structure at Tapa Street became a storage yard for properties recovered through court executions.

In year 2020, the #EndSARS Arson happened on 22 October which saw violent protests engulfed Lagos. Several court houses, police stations and correctional centres, including the newly rebuilt Igbosere complex were razed. Judges were forced to improvise, holding proceedings in converted jetties (Osborne), satellite courts at Yaba and Alausa, and even sharing a single courtroom.

After several years of waiting, the Rebuild Lagos Initiative, a company limited by Guarantee undertook to reconstruct the burnt High Court Complex in Igbosere in phases while the Lagos State Judiciary simultaneously financed a state-of-the-art Commercial Court House on Tapa Street.

Matter came to a head on 15  April, 2025 when the Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-olu commissioned the Commercial Court House and formally opened the building, bringing the era of “shared-court syndrome” to a dignified close.

The architectural and functional highlights of the Commercial Court House are as follows; i) Seven floors with two courtrooms per floor—a total of ten modern courtrooms; ii) Three elevators and three stairwells ensure smooth circulation and fire safety; iii) Dedicated registries and libraries on every floor, plus well-equipped offices for Sheriffs, Bailiffs and support staff; iv) Four restrooms per floor and comfortable waiting areas for counsel and litigants; v) Marked car park—smaller than the former Igbosere facility but efficiently laid out.

The following Judges have already been assigned their courts; they are

i) Hon. Justice Jumoke Pedro;
ii) Hon. Justice Lateefat Okunnu;
iii) Hon. Justice O. O. Jose;
iv) Hon. Justice Ipaye-Nwachukwu;
v) Hon. Justice A. O. Olukolu;
vi) Hon. Justice M. A. Sunmonu and
vii) Hon. Justice Anjorin-Ajose.

Counsel are advised to verify the exact courtroom postings as sittings commenced on Monday, 19 May, 2025.

Some neighbourhood landmarks and vistas from the lofty windows of the Commercial Court House are: i) Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) and the historic Tapa burial ground; ii) Iconic commercial towers along Broad Street and Marina—NITEL Building, Eleganza House, Sterling Bank HQ, Bank of Industry, Western House and LAPAL House and iii) essential state agencies: LASTMA, the Licensing Authority and LAWMA on Olowu Street, plus the new Massey Children’s Hospital.

“Justice delayed is justice denied” so says the legal maxim. The official commissioning of the Commercial Court House therefore restores full judicial capacity after five turbulent years. By granting every commercial-division judge an independent, technology-ready courtroom, Lagos sends a powerful message to investors: contracts will be enforced swiftly and transparently.

Looking ahead, Phase I of the rebuilt High Court of Lagos State, Igbosere —faithfully preserving the façade of the historic court — is scheduled for completion by 2027. Together with the new Commercial Court House, these projects will anchor a rejuvenated judicial district on Lagos Island.

We therefore commend the collaboration between Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwoolu for his steadfast political will; Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba, Chief Judge of Lagos State whose vision steered the project; Mr. Lawal Pedro, SAN, Honourable Attorney-General whose advocacy secured funding and the resilient judiciary staff who kept the wheels of justice turning in borrowed spaces.

In conclusion, from the ashes of adversity has risen a beacon of hope. The Lagos State Judiciary Commercial Court House is more than brick and mortar; it is a tangible pledge that the rule of law will always outlast the forces that assail it. May every judgement delivered within its walls strengthen public confidence, attract global commerce and remind future generations that Lagos builds back—better, bolder, and fairer.

• Adebola Lema, a former Secretary, NBA Lagos Branch, writes from Lagos and can be reached on adebolamaclema@yahoo.com