November 21, 2014 – Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Fashola today swore- in four new judges for high courts in the state.
The new judges are: Justice Iyabo Akinkugbe, Justice Serifat Sonaike, Justice Abisoye Bashua and Justice Abdulfattah Lawal.
Speaking at the event, Commissioner for Justice and Attorney Generalof Lagos State, Ade Ipaye said the appointment of the judges was met with much expectation by the public and others.
He said the powers conferred on Judges of the High Court were very wide, adding that they extended to all matters between persons or between government or authority and any person in Nigeria.
Ipaye stated that recent vacancies in the Lagos State Judiciary had necessitated the search and intensive screening of suitable qualified candidates to fill the positions.
Speaking at the event, Chief Judge of Lagos State, Oluwafunmilayo Atilade said the appointment of the four new judges brought to 54 the total number of judges in Lagos State, comprising 39 females and 15 males. She appealed to the state government to appoint more judges since the number of cases in court were overwhelming.
Atilade said she believes in the ability of the new judges to deliver and live up to expectations in the performance of their duties. She called on them to try as much as possible to exhibit high sense of maturity and ensure that justice was done at all time.
Speaking, Fashola charged the judges to exhibit high sense of morality by administering justice with fairness and firmness.
He said that judges must live above board and shun corrupt practices so as not to tarnish the reputation of the judiciary.
