At New Legal Year, Sanwo-Olu Restates Support For Lagos Judiciary 

Kemisola Oye 

THE Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, today, said his administration will continue to support the judicial arm of government and also ensure that justice continues to be served even in the most trying times.

The governor spoke at a special thanksgiving service held at the Cathedral Church of Christ, Marina, Lagos to herald the opening of the 2023/2024 legal year. 

Sanwo-Olu also promised better support for the judiciary from the executive arm of government, just as he emphasized the importance of collaboration among the three arms of government namely the executive, legislature and judiciary.

He said, “Dedication of our legal community has ensured that justice continues to be served, even in the most trying times. Therefore, I urge you all to continue in this line, bearing in mind the work you do for the smooth functioning of our society.

“Building the Lagos State of our dream requires that all hands must be on the deck.

“We’ll do everything within our powers to make the environment conducive and to enable you to discharge your duties without fear or favour.”

Sanwo-Olu however said his administration has “committed to completing the Tapa Court, the GIC, Taylor Magistrate Court and also to ensure that all our magistracy has asked for privately, we will do publicly and more.”

In his remark, the Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Kazeem Alogba, blamed parents for what he described as the moral decadence in the society.

•Justice Kazeem Alogba, Lagos CJ

Speaking at the service held at the Eko Central Mosque, Island, the Chief Judge expressed concerns over the deteriorating moral values in the community and attributed a significant portion of the responsibility to parental guidance.

Justice Alogba stressed that parents should take more active roles in nurturing good character and moral conduct.

Meanwhile, an Islamic cleric, Abdulgafar Mofesaye has advised judges and lawyers to steadfastly avoid corruption at all costs in the dispensation of justice.

•Abdulgafar Mofesaye

He stressed that judges and lawyers have a moral obligation to uphold justice and fairness. He said corruption not only undermines the integrity of the legal profession but also erodes the very foundations of a just society.

Earlier in the church, the Diocesan Bishop of Lagos, Rt. Rev Ifedola Senasu Gabriel Okupevi called on Governor Sanwo-Olu to rule with equity and also admonished judges to allow God’s fairness to reflect in their judgements. 

He charged them not to deny or delay justice, this is even as he referred to a Bible passage, Exodus 23: 1-9, which was read by Justice Olutoyin Ipaye, in which he urged judges to speak against injustice. 

He said, “Do not follow the crowd in doing wrong. Do not deny justice to the poor people in their lawsuits. Have nothing to do with a false charge and do not put an innocent or honest person to death, for I will not acquit the guilty.

“Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds those who see and twist the words of the innocent.”

He noted that the Diocese appreciates what President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is doing to revive the country’s economy, but noted that there is still hunger in the land.

•A cross-section of Lagos judges.

Okupevi harped on the need for the judiciary to ensure that justice was not delayed or denied.

“Help us to rid the society of rape, divorce and violence. Be honest and ensure that our society is rid of crime,” he said.

Eighteen-Eleven Media