The Chief Judge of Lagos State and Chairman, Judicial Service Commission, Hon. Justice Kazeem Alogba, has sworn-in 17 newly appointed Magistrates, describing their appointments as a sanctimonious call to duty.
The Chief Judge, who stated this at the swearing-in ceremony held at Local Government Election Tribunal in Ikeja recently, encouraged the new Magistrates to be courageous and limit their social circles in order to successfully carry out the task given to them by God and Man.
Justice Alogba said the appointments were in recognition of their impressive track records and urged them to see the Oath of Office and Oath of Secrecy as a guide in carrying out their official responsibilities, while not losing cognisance of their reputations and the respect of their families who look up to them.
In his words, “In the course of discharging your duties, you will be approached by families, relatives and friends who will want to seek one favour or the other from you. But you have to be mindful that you are to be just in what you do, no matter whose ox is gored. So, I will advise you not to shun or disrespect them but apply the fear of God and wisdom in your dealings with them”.
“The Oath of Office and Oath of Secrecy should guide you in your doings. Always be calm, calculative and courageous in your endeavours. You have been saddled with an onerous task and the opportunity to define your legacy while the whole world looks up to you to be fair, impartial and just in adjudicating cases. Don’t let them down”, he added.
Also speaking at the event, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), enjoined the new Magistrates to strive for excellence as they take up the burdensome task given to them.
He described the appointment process as rigorous, urging the appointees not to compromise judicial values while exhibiting impeccable character and upholding the rule of law.
Earlier, the Executive Secretary, Judicial Service Commission, Mrs. Olubukola Salami, urged the newly sworn-in Magistrates to do all that is required to be noble agents of change by dedicating their services to uplift the image of the judiciary in Lagos State and the Nation, through discipline and maintenance of a high level of virtuousness.
“As you take Oath of Office today, I implore you to stand true to your oath as it is a testament of your fidelity to God, the law and the good people of Lagos State. Your oath is a public assertion of your honest commitment to the Almighty to continually dispense justice conscientiously and diligently, without fear or favour, affection or animosity”, Salami enthused.
The 17 appointed Magistrates are Mr. Opeyemi Olatunde Odufuye, Mr. Adebambo Jamiu Odueke, Mr. Mikaheel Abiodun Adegbaye, Mrs. Olajumoke Modupe Sadiq-Bello, Mrs. Ibijoke Oluwatomi Williams, Mrs. Omobolanle Elizabeth Adeola and Mrs. Maume Oluwabusola Whenu.
Others include Mrs. Taofikat Adedayo Shotobi, Mr. Teslim Oluwatosin Fashanu, Mrs. Oluwafunmibi Oluwatosin Adeosun, Mrs, Anntoinette Oshioke Dirisu, Mrs, Folashade Arike Oshikoya, Mrs. Nafisah Oseni-Wahab, Mr. Ayodeji Funlola Akinyemi, Mr. Daramola Manzur Olumide, Mrs. Rakiat Adebukola Alejo and Mrs. Dorcas Senami Odukoya.
Thenigerialawyer
