Lagos State Judiciary Gets Three New Judges

Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode last week, swore in three new judges into the State Judiciary.

The newly sworn in Judges are Justices Sururat Abiola Soladoye, the Chief Registrar of the State High Court, Olukayode Ola Ogunjobi, and Yetunde Rukayat Pinheiro.

Speaking at the Banquet Hall of Lagos House in Ikeja, venue of the ceremony, Ambode charged the new Judges to be fearless in the discharge of their duties, and to always allow professional ethics to govern their acts and utterances, within and outside the court.

He said their appointments had followed due process, including a rigorous selection and screening exercise, consequent upon the advice of the Lagos State Judicial Service Commission, and recommendation by the National Judicial Council, urging them, therefore, to justify the confidence reposed in them, by offering nothing short of justice without fear or favour.

“The oath you have just taken, is neither an empty ritual nor a matter of mere formal procedure. It is an open demonstration of commitment, in the form of the making of a solemn and formal promise, the dereliction of which, the oath taker will be held accountable; not only to the Judiciary, and to our beloved State and country Nigeria, but also to your Creator”, the Governor said.

Ambode said that a Bill, seeking to amend the High Court Law to fix the number of Judges in the State High Courts to 120 from the present number of 59, had been sent to the State House of Assembly.

According to him, the Bill would go a long way, to address the challenges of the ever growing population and the attendant increase in commercial transactions and disputes.

“In order to address the challenges of a growing population, and the attendant increase in commercial transactions and disputes, we have sent a Bill to the State House of Assembly, seeking to amend the High Court Law to fix the number of Judges in the State High Courts at 120, from the present 59. We expect this to be favourably considered, and passed soon”, he said.

The Governor also commended the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Opeyemi Oke, for her inspirational leadership and commitment to fighting indolence in the Judiciary since the time she assumed office, assuring all that his administration would continue to support the Judiciary to deliver quality service to Lagosians.

In her remarks, Justice Oke, while congratulating the new Judges on attaining the pinnacle of their career, noted that their appointments had come at a time where there is a lot of work to be done, urging them to brace up to face the task head on.

“As a matter of fact some of my colleagues were asking if the Governor didn’t have a candidate, I said No, that he didn’t even call me for a second over this. We are proud of you Sir”, she said.

She also thanked the Governor for his unflinching support and passion, to see the smooth operation of the Judiciary, noting that under his administration, the Judiciary has thrived and has continued to remain at the top across the country.