Lagos High Court gets 13 new judges
By Adeola Ogunrinde
Thirteen new High Court judges have been sworn-in on Thursday by the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
The judges were made up of seven males and six females.
Speaking during the swearing-in at the Lagos House, Ikeja, Sanwo-Olu urged the new judges to reflect the highest standard of impartiality, compassion, ethical standards, and excellence that the Lagos judiciary is known for in Nigeria.
The 13 new benchers are Justices Fimisola Azeez, Alfred George, Olayinka Ojuromi, Yewande Badejo-Okusanya, Adenike Shonubi, Oyeladun Olayinka, Tunde Sunmomu and Musiliu Adewale.
Others are Justices Adegboyega Balogun, Tanimola Anjorin-Ajose, Olawale Alebiosu, Abdul-Raheem Muyideen and Oluwatosin Popoola.
They are among the best 300 lawyers who applied for the position of judges and were appointed as judges of the State High Courts after an oral and written examination conducted by the Nigeria Judicial Council.
Sanwo-Olu disclosed that since he came on board in 2019, his administration has appointed 37 judges, adding that the commitment of his government is to raise the bar of the judicial system in the state and equip it to meet the needs of the citizens.
He therefore urged the newly appointed judges to be fair and uphold the rule of law, stressing that the judiciary in Lagos is excellent and that the judicial system should continue the success it has recorded and take it to the next level.
Speaking earlier, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, urged the newly appointed judges to be professional in their conduct, noting that the new appointment they have taken demands everything in them and from them.
He said: “The office you have come to take demands everything in you; from you and you must be resilient. You must be ready to hit the ground running. All of you have done exceedingly well, which is why you were appointed. You must shun corruption like a plague.
“I will not interfere in your affairs at all times. Be hardworking, and resilient; you have not learned anything, you have just begun to learn. Petitions will come your way. The petition will be your baptism of fire.”
Also speaking, Lagos State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Mr. Lawal Pedro, noted that the Sanwo-Olu’s administration recognises the people’s desire for a justice system that works.
Speaking on behalf of the new judges, Justice Fimisola Azeez, thanked Governor Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State Government for finding her and others worthy to serve as judges of the High Court in Lagos State.
