Admin I Tuesday, July 03, 2018
LAGOS, Nigeria – Lagos state Chief Judge, Justice Opeyemi Oke today swore in three new magistrates and 50 Presidents and members of the customary courts and charged them to dispense justice without fear or favour, affection and animosity. The new magistrates are Abosede Ogunjobi, Tanimola Ajose and Oluwatosin Akingbesote.
Justice Oke told the magistrates in particular, to “be diligent in the discharge of their duties and constantly exhibit integrity, patience, open-mindedness, courtesy, tact and courage”. She told them that with their sound knowledge of the law and background in the legal profession, they are to “uphold and observe the rule of law, promote and foster the course of justice, maintain a high standard of judicial conduct and refrain from engaging in conducts unbecoming of an arbiter of justice”.
Oke admonished them to shun corruption emphasizing that the state Judicial Service Commission has zero tolerance to corruption.
She warned that she would be swift in discipling any officer found culpable after thorough investigation.She said the oath of office they took are constant reminder “of their testament and fidelity to God, the law and the people of the state”. She stressed the need for them to be firm and unwavering in the discharge of their duties adding, ” you must remain blind to personality and status and remain the hope of all men, common or uncommon “.
The Chief Judge said they must not compromise the integrity and impartiality of the courts stressing, ” it is only by personal integrity and strength of character that you will hold fast the high ideals and ethical demands of contemporary judicial life and service”.Justice Oke reminded the Presidents of the Customary Courts that the new Customary Court Law 2018 has ushered in greater responsibilities for them and that there was need for them to brazenly take on these responsibilities.
She told them that they are responsible for the interpretation of the law in accordance with the Constitution as well as the mechanism for resolution of disputes for the purpose of equal Justice under native law and customs.She told them that as judicial officers in the Customary court and the powers they wield, it is imperative for them to constantly update their understanding of the law.
She said the positive advancement of customary courts and the burning desire to achieve distinction constitute the ultimate goal of enhancing the capacity of the grassroot court system. Earlier, the Executive Secretary of Lagos State Judicial Service Commission, Mrs Olufunmilayo Salami, in a welcome remarks told the new magistrates, Customary Court Presidents and members that by this appointment, their conduct and carriage would become subject of public scrutiny.
She therefore stressed the need for them to maintain a high standard of professional competence and integrity to be able to dispense justice to all manners of people. Salami disclosed that the state Customary laws have been reviewed. Salami said the new Customary Court Law 2018 compulsorily accommodate legal practitioners and law graduates as President of the court and graduates as members. She said the amendment in the law also made provision for criminal jurisdiction in criminal causes and matters as conferred under any bye-law passed by a local government area or Local Council Development in the state.
