Sanwo-Olu swears-in 14 judges

Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State on Friday swore in 14 new judges of the state’s High Court to increase the capacity to dipense justice.

The new judges consisting of nine females and five males are; Mrs Olubusola Okunuga, Mrs Adenrera Adeyemi, Mrs Olufolake Oshin, Mrs Oluwatoyin Odusanya, Mrs Olumuyiwa Martins, Mrs Ariyike Ipaye-Nwachukwu and Mr Babatunde Kalaro.

Others are Mrs Omolade Awope, Mr Akinkunmi Idowu, Mr Olalekan Oresanya, Ms Mujibat Oshodi, Mr Ismail Ijelu, Mrs Mosunmola Balogun and Mr Mathias Dawodu.

Sanwo-olu said during the swearing-in ceremony that the judicial arm of government remained an essential element for proper and effective functioning of any democratic society.

He said that without the honest interpretation and application of the laws of the land, the society would be open to chaos and confusion.

According to him, the standards of behaviour and practice expected of judges are among the highest and most stringent in the land.

He, therefore, urged the new judges to dispense justice speedily, yet fairly and impartially, as all eyes would be on them.

Sanwo-Olu said they would 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.

“There is a reason why the courts are described as the last hope of the common man.

“A lot of the sense of frustration and cynicism that Nigerians today feel about the country is related to their experiences with the administration and dispensation of Justice — an area in which the judiciary is a central player,” Sanwo-Olu said.

He noted that judges that took their work seriously could do a lot to rebuild the confidence of citizens in the systems and institutions of the nation.

The governor said that a proper functioning judicial system would also go a long way in nurturing an environment that enabled business and investment, and by extension, economic growth and prosperity.

“When society prospers, there is less room for poverty to drive people to crime and criminality.

“We must never overlook this indirect link between the integrity of judicial systems and the levels of economic prosperity in the land,” he said.

The governor said that the state government remained committed to supporting the judiciary to fully discharge its constitutional functions and responsibilities.

Earlier, the Commissioner for Justice, Mr Moyosore Onigbanjo, said that the appointment of the new Judges was necessitated by the retirement of some in the course of the year.

Onigbanjo said that with the appointment and swearing-in, Lagos state now has 70 judges.

He said that the new benchers were chosen based on merit and urged them to operate with the fear of God.

“You are welcome to the judiciary of excellence. It is a family of integrity and a family of discipline.

“You have all been called up to duty on merit and integrity, please do not disappoint us,” Onigbanjo said.

He advised the families of the new Judges to allow them to work accordingly, and to continue to pray for them so that they would not falter.

Okunuga, who spoke on behalf of the new Judges, appreciated the state government for the confidence reposed on them .She promised that they would make the state judiciary proud by discharging their duty without fear, favour or affection.