Ayodele Olalere
Fourteen new judges were, on Friday, sworn-in by Lagos State governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, and warned all eyes will be on them as they discharged their duties.
The judges were sworn-in at an elaborate ceremony held inside the banquet hall, Lagos House, Ikeja.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, while addressing the new judges, reminded them of the enormous power they wield, and urged them to use it with integrity, without fear or favour.
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“All eyes will be on you to dispense justice speedily, yet fairly and impartially. You will be expected to live and act above board in all circumstances.
In your hands lies great power: the power to punish wrongdoers and free the innocent, the power to send a strong message to society about the primacy of the rule of law, and to contribute to the growing body of jurisprudence in the country.
This power must be wielded with the utmost sense of care and responsibility. You must not only be efficient and fair, but you must also be seen to be efficient and fair by all,” he admonished.
He promised his administration’s continued support to the judiciary to be able to ‘fully discharge its constitutional functions and responsibilities.’
The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba urged family members of the new judges not to put undue pressure on them. He urged the judges not to disappoint the confidence reposed in them.
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“You have been picked on merit, please do not disappoint us. You have been called to duty where God police you. Put the fear of God in all you do. Your life has changed henceforth. Don’t forget your homes, a judge can’t succeed at the bench if you don’t have a happy home,” the Cj said.
To the spouses and family of the new appointees, please leave them alone to do their work. Continue to pray for them to succeed in their work. You are the ones that can make their work easier or difficult,” he cautioned.
He commended Governor Sanwo-Olu for not interfering in the appointment of the judges , adding 12 names were initially submitted to the National Judicial Council, NJC, for appointment but was Increased to 14 by the governor.
The names of the new judges are Hon Justice Olubusola Adeyemi Okunuga , Hon Justice Adenrera Olayinka Adeyemi, Hon. Justice Olufolake Olufolasade Oshin, Hon. Justice Oluwatoyin Atinuke Odusanya, Hon. Justice Olumuyiwa Oluseun Martins, and Hon. Justice Ariyike Mutiat Ipaye-Nwachukwu.
Others are Hon Justice Babatunde Oladapo Kalaro , Hon. Justice Omolade Jadesola Awope, Hon. Justice Akinkunmi Olusegun Idowu, Hon. Justice Olalekan Ayodeji Oresanya, Hon Justice Mujibat Iyabode Oshodi, Hon. Justice Ismail Olalekan Ijelu , Hon. Justice Mosunmola Muyibat Balogun, and Hon. Justice Mathias Oluwole Dawodu.
The latest appointment increased the number of judges in Lagos judiciary to 70, out of which 24 were appointed since the beginning of Governor Sanwo-Olu’s administration.