Three new Lagos State judges were on Wednesday sworn-in to swell the number of judges in the state to 58.
The new officers of the bench are Emmanuel Ogundare, the Chief Registrar of the State High Court, Sherifat Solebo, the Deputy Chief Registrar, Special Duties, also of the State High Court and Idowu Alakija, the State Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Governor Akinwunmi Ambode said at the occasion that the inauguration of the new judges marked another significant milestone in the administration’s quest to ensure quick dispensation of cases.
“The Lagos State Judiciary is the most vibrant in the country and over the years, has set a reputation for itself as a trail-blazer across the country through erudite judgments.
“Judicial reforms have, however, not been stopped and the recommendations of the summit put together by the Ministry of Justice will be enforced,” he said.
The governor urged the judges to be of good character and conduct, saying “by this appointment, your conduct and carriage will now be subjected to public scrutiny, you must dispense justice without fear or favour.”
The State Chief Judge, Justice Oluwafunmilayo Atilade, congratulated the newly appointed judges, noting that they were selected on merit by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
She said:I congratulate the three judges who were carefully selected on merit; the process was concluded with an interview at the NJC in Abuja.
“Six individuals were sent to the NJC for approval, but three had their appointment as judges approved. I will like to thank the Governor for approving the exercise and all those who contributed to its success.”
Corroborating the governor’s assertion, Atilade said the state judiciary remained the most vibrant in the country.
“I commend the Lagos State judiciary for its productivity and I renew my pledge to the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the NJC to appoint new judges into the Lagos State Judiciary.
“Each judge in Lagos High Court has approximately 500 cases in their docket, the Chief Judge of Ekiti recently told me that the whole of Ekiti State had only 400 cases in their High Courts.
“I urge Governor Ambode to give more room for persons to serve in the High Courts; our Magistrates are currently ‘top heavy’ with some magistrates serving for twenty years, and I hope they will be rewarded accordingly,” she said.
Adeniji Kazeem, the State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, noted that the new judges would facilitate speedy dispensation of justice.
“They have been of amazing characters and have immensely contributed to justice administration. They have a robust knowledge of the law, they have the charisma and mien required for the bench.”
Justice Idowu Alakija, speaking on behalf of the new judges, expressed her appreciation to the state government for the appointments.
“It has been a long road,” she said, and gave kudos Gov. Ambode, NJC, the State Judicial Service Commission, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and fellow judges.
On their behalf, she promised that they would discharge their duties effectively.
“We shall abide by the law, the rules and code of conduct that govern the judiciary and shall contribute diligently to the growth of the judiciary,” she pledged.
In her address of welcome, Funlola Odunlami, the Solicitor -General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, expresses confidence in the new judges to discharge their duties efficiently.
“This ceremony is both gracious and solemn as it confers on them the power of life and death; the appointees are bringing their wealth of experience to the bench,” she said.
